The completed application documents will be presented by the Commissioner to the Free Trade and Processing Zone Commission for review and approval within fourteen (14) days of their receipt. The preliminary phase of due diligence must be carried out before a licence can be approved.

After due diligence is completed and if having regards to inter alia the findings, the Commission agrees to approve the application where the Commission is satisfied that the said business or enterprise described in the application has:

( a ) provided all application requirements

( b ) not been specifically prohibited by law

( c ) has paid the prescribed licence fee

It shall approve the application and issue to the applicant within fourteen (14) days of payment of the licence fee, a licence, authorizing the applicant to establish and operate within the Free Trade and Processing Zone the business or enterprise specified in the licence, for the time specified. Where the Commission refuses to approve an application, it shall, within fourteen (14) days of such decision, inform the applicant in writing.

Once the company has paid the prescribed licence fee and has been granted a licence to operate, it is then entitled to duty and tax exemptions as specified under section 14 of the Free Trade and Processing Zone Act, No. 12 of 1994. The entire process from application to licensing takes approximately thirty (30) days. However, the due diligence exercise might cause this time period to vary.