Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts, in a move aimed at strengthening legal infrastructure and boosting investor confidence within its growing business ecosystem. The agreement, signed at DIFC by Rishi Somaiya, CEO of ANCFZ, and H.E. Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of the DIFC Courts, establishes a framework for cooperation, consultation, and information exchange across areas of mutual interest.

Under the MoU, ANCFZ clients will gain access to a wide range of DIFC Courts services, including the Small Claims Tribunal, Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal, enforcement services, mediation, notary services, wills registration, and the Tejouri Digital Vault, among others. The collaboration is designed to enhance value-added services for businesses operating within the free zone while improving awareness of the UAE’s internationally recognized dispute resolution mechanisms.

Both entities will also collaborate on joint outreach initiatives such as seminars, conferences, and investor awareness programmes, alongside sharing legal publications, regulatory updates, and operational insights to support alignment and knowledge exchange. The partnership comes as the UAE’s free zone ecosystem continues to expand its role in economic diversification, with more than 40 multidisciplinary free zones contributing significantly to foreign investment and trade. At the same time, DIFC has seen strong growth, with registered firms increasing sharply in recent years, supported by its established legal and regulatory framework.

Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Nuaimi, Chairman of ANCFZ, said: “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.”

H.E. Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of the DIFC Courts, commented, “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. Aligned with the DIFC Courts’ strategic priorities of international reach, judicial excellence, and effective enforcement, this collaboration further positions DIFC Courts as a leading global hub for dispute resolution and commercial certainty.”

Rishi Somaiya, CEO of ANCFZ, added, “Investor confidence is built on clarity, speed, and legal certainty. By formalizing 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.”

The agreement builds on ANCFZ’s rapid growth since its establishment in October 2024. The free zone has registered more than 6,500 companies within its first year, positioning itself among the fastest-growing in the UAE. ANCFZ also offers a fully digital business setup platform, enabling entrepreneurs to obtain a license within two hours and complete visa processing within 24 hours, supported by a hybrid model combining digital infrastructure with dedicated client services.