The Bottom Line
SRTIP costs AED 4,314 less (28% savings) in your first year compared to KEZAD. That’s AED 11,233 vs AED 15,547 all-in with one visa.
Sharjah · Est. 2016
Sharjah Research, Tech, Innovation Park (SRTIP)
SRTIP is perfect for tech startups, software development teams, and education providers with serious innovation credentials. If your business involves R&D, renewable energy, or advanced technology, SRTIP offers grants and resources unavailable elsewhere.
License
AED 8,110
Visa
AED 2,233
Setup
4 Working Days
Banking
Medium
The Pros of SRTIP
Unlimited shareholders — ideal for VC-backed startups
Dedicated support for R&D and innovation projects
Renewable energy sector grants and incentives available
4-day approval aligned with tech hub standards
Access to research facilities and incubator networks
Competitive fees for tech-heavy businesses
The Cons
Medium bank approval rate — requires strong tech proof of concept
Limited to innovation, tech, and education activities
Sharjah location less convenient than Dubai for international talent recruitment
Smaller corporate ecosystem than DSO or DIC
Office space rental not always included in package
Abu Dhabi · Est. 2010
Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD)
KEZAD is built for serious manufacturers, food processors, and large logistics operations in the Abu Dhabi region. If you need heavy industrial space, multi-partner structures (10+ shareholders), and plan to export manufactured goods, KEZAD is your dedicated platform.
License
AED 11,150
Visa
AED 3,377
Setup
4 Working Days
Banking
Medium
The Pros of KEZAD
Fast 4-day approval for industrial businesses
Up to 100 shareholders — excellent for joint ventures
Heavy-duty manufacturing and food processing infrastructure
Largest industrial zone in Abu Dhabi region
Port and rail connectivity for logistics optimization
Competitive pricing for large-scale operations
The Cons
Medium bank approval rate (70%) — requires operational setup proof
Higher visa costs (AED 3,377) — Abu Dhabi premium
Primarily industrial focus — not suited for pure services
Abu Dhabi location requires additional documentation for mainland connectivity
Warehouse rental and utility costs add significant overhead
Full Cost Comparison
All figures in AED with 1 visa included. The lower value is highlighted in green.
Cost Item
SRTIP
KEZAD
Business License
AED 8,110
AED 11,150
Office / Desk
Included
Included
Visa (1 person)
AED 2,233
AED 3,377
Medical Exam
AED 320
AED 350
Emirates ID
AED 370
AED 370
Establishment Card
AED 200
AED 300
Total Year 1
AED 11,233
AED 15,547
Annual Renewal (Yr 2+)
AED 7,200
AED 10,500
Banking & Compliance
Getting a bank account open is often harder than getting the license itself. Here’s what to expect at each zone.
SRTIP
Banks generally approve SRTIP accounts for software and tech companies with documented proof of concept or paying customers. Processing typically takes 3–4 weeks. Bring demo videos, customer testimonials, or revenue proof. Mashreq and RAKBANK show strong appetite for SRTIP tech founders.
Setup takes 4 working days. Innovation and research-focused activities get priority. Businesses must clearly demonstrate their tech innovation angle. If your activity is too general (e.g., "general IT services"), you may be redirected to another zone. Documentation should include detailed business and technical specifications.
KEZAD
KEZAD has medium bank approval (70–75%) — banks require proof of manufacturing/logistics capacity. Processing takes 3–4 weeks. Bring detailed operational plans, equipment lists, or supplier agreements. ABU DHABI Islamic Bank and FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank) have strong KEZAD relationships.
License approval takes 4 working days. For food and beverage manufacturing, FSA (Food Safety Authority) pre-approval is required — plan for 3–4 additional weeks. Environmental compliance documentation may be needed for heavy manufacturing. KEZAD team provides checklist upfront.
Which One Should You Pick?
Choose SRTIP If…
- Your business matches: Education, Healthcare, IT Consultancy, Software Development
- Budget is your primary concern (AED 4,314 cheaper)
- You need to get operational as quickly as possible (4 Working Days)
- You work remotely and don’t need a physical office
- You have multiple shareholders or investors
Choose KEZAD If…
- Your business matches: Food & Beverage, General Trading, Logistics, Manufacturing
- You need to get operational as quickly as possible (4 Working Days)
- You work remotely and don’t need a physical office
Our Analysis
Both zones offer identical 4-day setup timelines, but they diverge sharply on cost. Sharjah Research, Tech, Innovation Park (SRTIP) edges ahead at AED 11,233 versus Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD)'s AED 15,547, a 28% difference. Both carry medium banking approval ratings, so account opening difficulty is comparable. Sharjah Research, Tech, Innovation Park (SRTIP) shines for srtip is perfect for tech startups, software development teams, and education providers with serious innovation credentials. if your business involves r&d, renewable energy, or advanced technology, srtip offers grants and resources unavailable elsewhere., while Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) targets kezad is built for serious manufacturers, food processors, and large logistics operations in the abu dhabi region. if you need heavy industrial space, multi-partner structures (10+ shareholders), and plan to export manufactured goods, kezad is your dedicated platform.. The cost gap is modest enough that your specific business needs should guide the decision. Neither zone dominates across all dimensions—your choice depends on whether you prioritize cost efficiency or banking relationships.
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