News DeskAJMAN: Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts in a move aimed at reinforcing the legal framework supporting its rapidly expanding business community.
The agreement was signed at DIFC by Rishi Somaiya, CEO of ANCFZ, and Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of the DIFC Courts. The partnership sets out a framework for cooperation, consultation and the exchange of information on areas of shared strategic importance.
Through the agreement, businesses operating within ANCFZ will gain greater access to a broad range of public services provided by the DIFC Courts. These include the Small Claims Tribunal, Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal, Enforcement services, specialised divisions, probate services, hearing room rentals, notary services, mediation, wills services, Tejouri Digital Vault, registration of practitioners, the Pro Bono Programme, and the Volunteer Lawyer Service.
The collaboration reflects ANCFZ’s wider vision of building a competitive free zone environment backed by legal clarity, regulatory transparency and strong institutional partnerships. As the free zone continues to grow, the MoU is expected to raise awareness among investors and businesses about the UAE’s internationally recognised dispute resolution mechanisms, while also making trusted legal services more accessible.
Under the terms of the MoU, both sides will work together on seminars, conferences and investor awareness programmes. The agreement also allows for the sharing of legal publications, regulatory updates and operational insights to encourage closer alignment between the two institutions.
The partnership comes as free zones continue to play a major role in the UAE’s economic diversification drive. The country has more than 40 multidisciplinary free zones, many of which offer 100 per cent foreign ownership and tailored services for international investors across sectors such as logistics, technology, finance and manufacturing. Industry forecasts suggest these zones could contribute around AED 257 billion to the UAE’s non-oil GDP by 2030.
At the same time, financial and legal centres such as DIFC have continued to widen their international presence. Registered firms at DIFC rose by nearly 40 per cent in 2025, surpassing 8,800 companies, supported by a legal and regulatory system designed to boost investor assurance and streamline dispute resolution.
Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Nuaimi, Chairman of ANCFZ, said the partnership marks an important step as the free zone broadens its investor base and international reach.
“As we continue to expand our investor base and global reach, strengthening the legal and regulatory ecosystem surrounding our Free Zone is essential. 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,” he said.
Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of the DIFC Courts, said the agreement would help strengthen legal certainty across the UAE’s free zone landscape.
“This Memorandum of Understanding reinforces legal certainty and investor confidence across the UAE’s free zone ecosystem. By extending access to the DIFC Courts’ internationally recognised services, the partnership strengthens the legal infrastructure supporting high-growth business communities,” he said.
He added that the collaboration aligns with the DIFC Courts’ strategic priorities of international reach, judicial excellence and effective enforcement, further strengthening its position as a global hub for dispute resolution and commercial certainty.
For his part, Rishi Somaiya, CEO of ANCFZ, said the agreement enhances the free zone’s appeal to investors.
“Investor confidence is built on clarity, speed and legal certainty. By formalising 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,” he said.
The latest agreement builds on what ANCFZ describes as a year of strong growth. Since its establishment in October 2024, the free zone has registered more than 6,500 companies within its first year, making it one of the UAE’s fastest-growing free zones and an increasingly visible contributor to foreign direct investment.
ANCFZ has also highlighted its digital-first approach as a key driver of that growth. Through its integrated platform, entrepreneurs can obtain a business licence in as little as two hours, while visa processing can be completed within 24 hours. The free zone says its hybrid model — combining digital systems with dedicated client support — is designed to simplify compliance and help businesses set up and scale efficiently.
