February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZ) is a heavy-industry and manufacturing-oriented free zone located along the Arabian Gulf coast in the northern area of Sharjah. Established in 1995, HFZ spans over 22 square kilometers and features its own deep-water port, extensive industrial land plots, pre-built warehouses, and open storage yards. The zone operates under a free zone regulatory framework offering 100 percent foreign ownership, zero import and export duties, full repatriation of capital and profits, and no personal income tax. HFZ is particularly known for attracting heavy industries including steel fabrication, oil and gas services, petrochemicals, and building materials manufacturing.

UAE Context

Hamriyah Free Zone provides a cost-competitive industrial alternative to the larger and more expensive free zones in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For manufacturers and industrial operators that require large land plots, port access, and proximity to the northern emirates, HFZ offers significantly lower lease rates while maintaining free zone benefits. The zone’s deep-water port enables direct import of raw materials and export of finished goods, a critical advantage for heavy industry tenants. HFZ has attracted over 6,500 registered companies and plays an important role in Sharjah’s non-oil economic development, complementing the emirate’s educational and cultural positioning with tangible industrial output.

Key Data

  • Location: Northern Sharjah, Arabian Gulf coast
  • Established: 1995
  • Area: Over 22 square kilometers
  • Registered companies: Over 6,500
  • Key infrastructure: Deep-water port, industrial plots, warehousing, open yards
  • Key sectors: Steel fabrication, oil and gas services, petrochemicals, building materials, recycling
  • Regulatory authority: Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA)

Significance for Vision 2031

Hamriyah Free Zone supports Vision 2031’s industrial diversification objectives by hosting manufacturing operations that contribute to Operation 300bn’s output targets. The zone’s role in accommodating heavy industry that may not fit the profile of Dubai or Abu Dhabi’s premium free zones ensures the UAE’s industrial ecosystem includes a full range of manufacturing capabilities. HFZ’s cost advantage also helps attract small and medium enterprises that form the base of the UAE’s industrial supply chain.

  • Sharjah - The emirate hosting Hamriyah Free Zone
  • Free Zone - The regulatory model under which HFZ operates
  • Operation 300bn - National industrial strategy that HFZ’s manufacturing tenants support
  • Port of Sharjah - Sharjah’s other maritime facilities