Introduction

Free Trade Zones (FTZ) are home to thousands of businesses operating in diverse sectors, often across multiple jurisdictions and risk profiles. With this complexity comes rising expectations: from regulators, national authorities and from international bodies, such as the FATF.

Themis partners with FTZ authorities to deliver scalable, risk-based financial crime compliance infrastructure, including screening tools, training, enhanced due diligence and ongoing monitoring. Our solutions support the compliance obligations of free zone regulators and help ensure their licensees meet local and global AML/CFT standards.

We have supported a number of FTZ regulators - including the Creative Media Authority and the Dubai Development Authority - with accredited AML training tailored to the operational realities of free zones. In both cases, the work prompted wider conversations around how to strengthen compliance oversight, reinforcing the value of a responsive, practical approach grounded in sector-specific risk.

‍

Why financial crime risk in FTZs can’t be ignored

Free Trade Zones are increasingly recognised as critical actors in the global fight against financial crime, entrusted with the licensing, monitoring, and oversight of thousands of businesses across a broad range of sectors. As this role expands, expectations from regulators, stakeholders, and international partners are rising. We understand the regulatory complexity FTZs manage daily, from supervising DNFBPs and financial institutions to overseeing a wide range of commercial activities across sectors.

Many FTZs have already taken steps to enhance their AML and CFT frameworks, introducing improved onboarding processes, strengthening transparency requirements, and exploring technology to support more consistent oversight. However, several challenges remain across the sector:

• Screening large applicant volumes with limited internal resources
• Gaps in UBO data due to complex or foreign-owned structures
• Varied approaches to ongoing monitoring and risk review
• Reputational exposure where oversight practices are still evolving

Encouragingly, many authorities are already responding. We have worked with FTZ regulators to deliver accredited training, refine supervisory models, and implement tools that align with evolving standards.

Our work demonstrates how focused support can help FTZs strengthen oversight, manage risk more effectively, and build greater confidence among stakeholders.

‍

What Themis offers Free Trade Zone authorities

Themis provides an end-to-end compliance solution tailored to the regulatory and operational realities of Free Trade Zone authorities. Our offering includes:

Comprehensive AML/CFT coverage

From KYC screening, UBO verification and ongoing monitoring to enhanced due diligence (EDD), Themis supports every stage of the compliance lifecycle.

Technology built for supervisory needs

Our tools are designed to help authorities manage large and diverse licensee populations efficiently, automating key processes like onboarding, screening and periodic risk reviews.

Accredited training programmes

Delivered in partnership with the London Institute of Banking & Finance, our AML training provides immediate value to both FTZ teams and their licensees, helping build capability and meet regulatory expectations.

Actionable risk intelligence

Our EDD reports and AML risk assessment tools go beyond tick-box compliance, offering practical insight that helps FTZs identify red flags, protect their reputation, and meet the standards set by national regulators and the FATF.

‍

Why Free Trade Zones choose Themis

• Proactive compliance support
  We help FTZs stay ahead of evolving AML/CFT obligations, ensuring their frameworks align with national laws, FATF guidance and local regulatory developments.

• Enhanced regulatory credibility
  Working with Themis strengthens an FTZ’s position as a secure and compliant jurisdiction, supporting efforts to attract high-quality licensees and international partners.

• Operational efficiency
  Our technology reduces the burden on internal teams by automating complex compliance processes. Authorities can focus on their core mandate without compromising oversight.

• Established networks and insights
  We bring extensive experience working with regulators, enforcement bodies and industry leaders, helping FTZs benefit from best practices, regulatory insight and peer benchmarking.

• Fit-for-purpose frameworks
  Our solutions are built specifically to address the compliance risks facing FTZ authorities, whether supervising financial services firms, commodity traders, or professional service providers.

Next Steps?

As a registered company in two of the world’s leading financial free zones ourselves, we understand first-hand the unique needs and challenges faced by free zones. If you’re looking to understand how Themis can support you with any of the checklist activities outlined above, our dedicated team of experts is ready to assist. We offer personalised consultations to help identify the best solutions tailored to your unique needs and ensure you get the most value from our technology and subject matter expertise.

Whether your free zone licences 1,000 or 10,000 companies, Themis helps you manage compliance risk across your jurisdiction at scale.

Let’s help your zone meet its obligations, mitigate its risks and build a stronger foundation for secure, reputable growth.