UAE – Mubasher: Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts at DIFC to reinforce ANCFZ’s commitment to strengthening the legal infrastructure underpinning its fast-growing business ecosystem and enhancing investor confidence.
The MoU enters into effect upon signature on 26 February 2026, according to a press release.
The agreement will enhance value-added services for ANCFZ clients by enabling them to access a range of public services offered by DIFC, including DIFC Courts services such as the Small Claims Tribunal, Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal, Enforcement, Specialised Divisions, Probate, Hearing Room Rentals, Notary Service, Mediation Service, Wills service, Tejouri Digital Vault, Registration of Practitioners, the Pro Bono Programme (PBP), and the Volunteer Lawyer Service.
Both entities will also collaborate on joint outreach initiatives including seminars, conferences, and investor awareness programs, as the MoU offers the exchange of relevant legal publications, regulatory developments, and operational insights, ensuring greater alignment and knowledge-sharing between the two institutions.
The UAE is home to more than 40 multidisciplinary free zones offering 100% foreign ownership and tailored business services to global investors, particularly in logistics, technology, finance, and manufacturing.
Industry projections indicate that free zones are expected to contribute approximately AED 257 billion to the UAE’s non-oil GDP by 2030, which endorses their importance as drivers of foreign direct investment and international trade.
At the same time, established financial and legal hubs such as the DIFC continue to expand their global footprint, with registered firms rising nearly 40% in 2025 to more than 8,800 businesses, supported by a robust legal and regulatory infrastructure that enhances investor certainty and dispute resolution reliability.
Chairman of ANCFZ, Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Nuaimi, said: “As we continue to expand our investor base and global reach, strengthening the legal and regulatory ecosystem surrounding our Free Zone is essential.”
Al Nuaimi noted: “This partnership with the DIFC Courts reinforces our commitment to transparency, governance, and international best practices, in line with Ajman Vision 2030 and the UAE’s broader economic diversification agenda.”
Rishi Somaiya, the CEO of ANCFZ, said: “Investor confidence is built on clarity, speed, and legal certainty. By formalizing cooperation with the DIFC Courts, we are enhancing the value proposition of ANCFZ and ensuring that businesses operating within our ecosystem benefit from greater awareness of robust dispute resolution frameworks available in the UAE.”
For ANCFZ, this partnership builds on a year of accelerated growth and strong investor uptake. Established in October 2024, the Free Zone has registered over 6,500 companies within its first year of operation, positioning itself as one of the UAE’s fastest-growing free zones and a notable contributor to foreign direct investment inflows.
