Abu dhabi: Masdar City Free Zone has been awarded three major accolades by Business Tabloid Publications, solidifying its status as the fastest growing free zone in the UAE and a key driver of entrepreneurship and technological progress.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Mohamed Al Breiki, Executive Director of Masdar City, received the awards during a ceremony, representing a business community that has seen significant growth and influence over the past year. The awards highlight the free zone's rapid development, including a +36 percent increase in attracted companies, marking a 172 percent year-on-year growth and the addition of approximately 1,000 new companies in 2025 alone.
Over half of the more than 2,000 registered businesses in Masdar City Free Zone are start-ups, demonstrating its role as a launchpad for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The zone also achieved a +33 percent increase in job opportunities, reflecting a 71 percent year-on-year rise.
The Best Free Zone for SMEs award recognized Masdar City Free Zone's support for SMEs through affordability and comprehensive services. It boasts a state-of-the-art flexible R and D lab, encouraging research and development for businesses of various sizes, and offers streamlined regulatory processes, sector-specific business packages, and funding opportunities via its venture arm, The Catalyst.
The innovation and technology award acknowledges Masdar City Free Zone's focus on a technology-oriented environment. The zone hosts companies across six high-impact sectors, including artificial intelligence, agritech, and space technology. It is home to prominent organizations like the International Renewable Energy Agency and the UAE Space Agency.
Dr. Mohamed Al Breiki emphasized the zone's role as an economic enabler and a platform for sustainable growth, underpinning Abu Dhabi's diversification ambitions. With a 99 percent occupancy rate and representation from over 90 countries, Masdar City fosters a diverse and dynamic business ecosystem.
The zone's community includes organizations like Siemens Energy and the Advanced Technology Research Council, promoting partnerships that accelerate commercialization and market entry.
Source: Emirates News Agency