The United Arab Emirates comprises of seven emirates; they are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain.  In the UAE, company registration is managed by various Free Zones and the Department of Economic Development (DED) in each emirate. The process is regulated at both the federal and emirate levels, with distinct rules for businesses in different registration areas. A Free Zone Company is a business registered within one of the many free zones in the UAE.