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United Arab Emirates vs Cook Islands: which jurisdiction wins?
United Arab Emirates vs Cook Islands — both credible, very different trade-offs. Below: side-by-side on the variables that actually move the decision.
| United Arab Emirates | Cook Islands | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax headline | 9% corporate tax above AED 375k (free zones 0% on qualifying) | 0% on foreign-sourced income |
| Formation days | 10 | 5 |
| First-year cost | $6,500 | $3,500 |
| Treaties | 140+ | Limited |
| Substance | Free zone QFZP requires adequate substance | Light |
| Banking | Emirates NBD, ADCB, Mashreq, plus Wio and crypto-friendly EMIs | Limited; asset-protection focused |
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