Many people have developed successful, highly profitable businesses in Dubai. New operations are encouraged by the government and your local partner might be enthusiastically supportive. Export and manufacturing industries are especially strongly supported by government, particularly as regards the acquisition of land on which to construct a factory. If you set up such a business in a free trade zone, of which there are several in the region, it’s granted exemptions from import and export duties, commercial taxes, building and property license fees, land tax and restrictions on the transfer of capital invested in the zone.