Business Setup in Sharjah Free Zones
Start Business in Sharjah Free Zone
Entrepreneurs have a few jurisdictions to select from when it comes to incorporating a business in Sharjah.
Over the past decade, the emirate has implemented start-up schemes for small and medium-sized enterprises and invested heavily in attracting foreign direct investment.
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In 2016, Sharjah established its most recent economic free zone, Sharjah Media City. The new zone is the third in the emirate, after Hamriyah Free Zone and Sharjah Airport Free Zone, both established in 1995. Between them, the existing zones are home to around 15,000 companies engaged in various economic activities, from perfume manufacturing to food processing.
Entrepreneurs have a few jurisdictions to select from when it comes to incorporating a business in Sharjah.
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) is a hub for media and creativity in the city based on the model and success of Dubai Media City.
The Sharjah Department of Economic Development (SDED) issues all local business licenses for areas that are not covered by free zones. Historically, local licenses required local citizens to be majority shareholders. However, the UAE has modernized its laws recently to grant expat owners full ownership of a business in most sectors.
Sharjah was historically one of the wealthiest places in this region, with a settlement in existence for over 5000 years. Since the early 18th century, Sharjah has been ruled by the Qassimi family, then one of the principal naval powers in the Persian Gulf.
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In the 20th century, Sharjah invested considerable resources in building a strong cultural identity and heritage and was named in 1998 as UNESCO’s ‘Arab Capital of Culture’. Sharjah was also named the Islamic Culture Capital in 2014 by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the world’s first Children-Friendly City in 2015, and the World Book Capital by UNESCO in 2019.
Among the most diversified economies in the UAE and the wider GCC region, Sharjah has developed strong manufacturing, tourism, and logistics industries, among other non-oil sectors. Sharjah’s modern economy’s four most prominent sectors are real estate and business services; manufacturing; mining, quarrying and energy; and wholesale and retail trade.