The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) and Amazon UAE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower SPC Free Zone members, including publishers, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to fast-track their growth journeys through online retail channels and enable them to sell their products to millions of customers on Amazon.ae. The collaboration aligns with SPC Free Zone’s vision to support members to increase the growth rates of their businesses by enabling them to leverage Amazon’s capabilities, tools, services, programs and people to navigate the digital economy.
The agreement, signed by Saif Al Suwaidi, Director of SPC Free Zone, and Chintan Dhebar, Marketplace Director, at Amazon Middle East, North Africa and Trkiye, aims to accelerate the learning curve on digitalisation for SPC Free Zone members and provide them with comprehensive support and guidance to scale online. The initiative will allow hundreds of SMEs to have access to a suite of Amazon’s services including step-by-step guidance for seamless seller registration and onboarding; seller education covering the fundamentals of online selling on the Amazon store through on-site training, workshops and live webinars; and support teams to ensure a smooth digital journey.
Commenting on the collaboration, Saif Al Suwaidi, Director of SPC Free Zone said, “Through our collaboration with Amazon UAE we aim to further our support for SMEs in the region. By leveraging Amazon’s expertise and global reach, we are confident that our members will be empowered to navigate the digital landscape and expand their customer base exponentially. This collaboration is a strategic long-term investment in the future of entrepreneurship in Sharjah and the wider UAE, as we work together to equip local businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the e-commerce era.”
Chintan Dhebar, Marketplace Director, Amazon Middle East, North Africa and Trkiye said, “Supporting SMEs is a fundamental part of our work and customer-centric culture at Amazon. Our sellers play an essential role in enhancing the customer experience by providing a wider selection of products and competitive pricing. We are delighted to collaborate with SPC Free Zone to extend our support to its members who can start selling on the Amazon store and leverage our business model to expand their reach to the millions of customers that visit Amazon.ae every day. This is closely aligned with our goal of hosting products from 100,000 businesses, including UAE SMEs, on Amazon.ae by 2026.”
Signed MOU aims to educate and empower SPC Free Zone members, including publishers and SMEs, through e-commerce channels
Sharjah: The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) and Amazon UAE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to empower SPC Free Zone members, including publishers, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to fast-track their growth journeys through online retail channels and enable them to sell their products to millions of customers on Amazon.ae. The collaboration aligns with SPC Free Zone’s vision to support members to increase the growth rates of their businesses by enabling them to leverage Amazon’s capabilities, tools, services, programs and people to navigate the digital economy.
The agreement, signed by Saif Al Suwaidi, Director of SPC Free Zone, and Chintan Dhebar, Marketplace Director, at Amazon Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, aims to accelerate the learning curve on digitalization for SPC Free Zone members and provide them with comprehensive support and guidance to scale online. The initiative will allow hundreds of SMEs to have access to a suite of Amazon’s services including step-by-step guidance for a seamless seller registration and onboarding; seller education covering the fundamentals of online selling on the Amazon store through on-site training, workshops and live webinars; and support teams to ensure a smooth digital journey.
Commenting on the collaboration, Saif Al Suwaidi, Director of SPC Free Zone said, “Through our collaboration with Amazon UAE we aim to further our support for SMEs in the region. By leveraging Amazon’s expertise and global reach, we are confident that our members will be empowered to navigate the digital landscape and expand their customer base exponentially. This collaboration is a strategic long-term investment in the future of entrepreneurship in Sharjah and the wider UAE, as we work together to equip local businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the e-commerce era.”
The strategic collaboration between SPC Free Zone and Amazon UAE underscores SPC Free Zone’s commitment to advance the expertise of entrepreneurs when it comes to online retail.
Chintan Dhebar, Marketplace Director, Amazon Middle East, North Africa and Turkey said, “Supporting SMBs is a fundamental part of our work and customer-centric culture at Amazon. Our sellers play an essential role in enhancing the customer experience by providing a wider selection of products and competitive pricing. We are delighted to collaborate with SPC Free Zone to extend our support to its members who can start selling on the Amazon store and leverage our business model to expand their reach to the millions of customers that visit Amazon.ae every day. This is closely aligned with our goal of hosting products from 100,000 businesses, including UAE SMBs, on Amazon.ae by 2026.”
SPC Free Zone and Amazon are committed to sustaining and expanding the program further to enhance Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and boost the growth of the UAE’s digital economy.
The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) and Amazon UAE have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to empower SPC Free Zone members to fast-track their growth journeys through online retail channels and enable them to sell their products to millions of customers on Amazon.ae, a report said.
The collaboration aligns with SPC Free Zone’s vision to support members, including publishers, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to increase the growth rates of their businesses by enabling them to leverage Amazon’s capabilities, tools, services, programmes and people to navigate the digital economy, Emirates News Agency, WAM, said.
The agreement, signed by Saif Al Suwaidi, Director of SPC Free Zone, and Chintan Dhebar, Marketplace Director, at Amazon Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye, aims to accelerate the learning curve on digitalisation for SPC Free Zone members and provide them with comprehensive support and guidance to scale online.
The initiative will allow hundreds of SMEs to have access to a suite of Amazon’s services including step-by-step guidance for seamless seller registration and onboarding; seller education covering the fundamentals of online selling on the Amazon store through on-site training, workshops and live webinars; and support teams to ensure a smooth digital journey.
Saif Al Suwaidi, Director of SPC Free Zone, said: “Through our collaboration with Amazon UAE we aim to further our support for SMEs in the region.
“By leveraging Amazon’s expertise and global reach, we are confident that our members will be empowered to navigate the digital landscape and expand their customer base exponentially.
“This collaboration is a strategic long-term investment in the future of entrepreneurship in Sharjah and the wider UAE, as we work together to equip local businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the e-commerce era.”
Chintan Dhebar, Marketplace Director, Amazon Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye said: “Supporting SMEs is a fundamental part of our work and customer-centric culture at Amazon. Our sellers play an essential role in enhancing the customer experience by providing a wider selection of products and competitive pricing.
“We are delighted to collaborate with SPC Free Zone to extend our support to its members who can start selling on the Amazon store and leverage our business model to expand their reach to the millions of customers that visit Amazon.ae every day.
“This is closely aligned with our goal of hosting products from 100,000 businesses, including UAE SMEs, on Amazon.ae by 2026.”
SHARJAH: American businessman and philanthropist John Ingram is a global authority on book publishing. For over 50 years, the US-headquartered Ingram Content Group, which he steers, has been dedicated to the book industry, growing to be a leader in book distribution with offices and facilities all over the world. It works with tens of thousands of publishers, authors, book and specialty retailers and libraries, providing a hub for the book industry and catering to its rapidly changing requirements.
Ingram, who has set up the Lightning Source facility at Sharjah Publishing City, is best known for his print-on-demand services.
Explaining what that means in an exclusive interview with Gulf News, he said, “Print on demand is the ability to print a single copy of a book quickly and at high quality when a sale occurs. It allows publishers, distributors, wholesalers and booksellers to sell a book first and then have it manufactured.”
Clearly, this is distinct from traditional printing. As he explains, “Traditional printing involves printing a large quantity of stock at once, anticipating future sales. This requires warehousing and can lead to excess inventory. Print on demand involves printing books as they are ordered, which avoids excess inventory. Because the book is printed and shipped close to the end customer, it’s also saving shipping costs and is better for the environment.”
Ingram’s decision to bring Lightning Source-on-demand service to Sharjah was in response to high market demand from publishers. “I was also personally very impressed by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi’s vision for Sharjah and all the good work that has been done to make Sharjah a cultural hub for the written word,” he shares.
Main challenges
According to him, the main challenges facing the print industry today are environmental pressures and the need to reduce the carbon footprint of a book. “In the book industry, there are more titles being published than ever before. The traditional model of printing first and supplying from inventory has become increasingly challenged in this world of millions of titles, often with very specific demand profiles.”
While the machinery that Ingram deploys to print a book is commonly used by traditional printers and can be used for any print run, the group’s uniqueness lies in its IT capabilities and connectivity to reselling channels, so it can print a book when there is a demand.
But what is the relevance of print on demand in today’s times?
“With the shift to online purchases, the attractiveness of printing a book as close to the end customer as possible, being able to guarantee swift supply, allowing a publisher to never miss a sale due to low or no stock, not putting titles out of print, allowing the long tail of demand to be fulfilled, etc. grew in importance,” he says.
A sale is never lost
“Print on demand has provided publishers solutions by keeping books alive and always available so that a sale is never lost; allowing books to be kept in print so that sales can be realised without needing to hold inventory; taking cost out of the supply chain by not over printing; reducing the cost of write offs for obsolete stock; cutting transportation costs; and, allowing a better use of cash rather than having it tied up in excess inventory – are some of the advantages,” he continued.
According to him, print on demand also has a huge role to play in helping the industry reduce its environmental footprint. “It allows a book to be manufactured in a market when there is a sale rather than printed and shipped from inventory held in an offshore warehouse allowing a huge reduction in transportation costs and associated carbon.”
Ingram’s global print on demand service has allowed titles to be made available to booksellers in other markets without the need to either sell the rights or ship stock and have it held speculatively in a warehouse.
Widely used model
“We link our print-on-demand service to wholesale points of distribution so that, for example, a bookseller in London or New York can order a title and receive it within a couple of days. Ingram makes the sale to the bookseller as a wholesaler at the price set by the publisher, manufactures the book on demand, deducts the cost of printing the book and pays the publisher the balance. This model is used very widely around the world,” he explains.
As for the cost factor, Ingram says publishers have been on a journey to understand that it’s not just about the costs associated with printing the book. “It’s all the other costs that need to be considered. For example, the cost of a lost sale because you have run out of stock; the cost of capital that you have tied up in stock that has not sold; the cost of transporting stock around the world to hold speculatively in a market; the cost of having a distributor hold the stock for you in a warehouse, etc.”
Since 1998, Lightning Source has provided publishers and authors access to comprehensive bookselling channels in the industry and has since grown to become the largest print-on-demand service in the world serving publishers in nearly 150 countries and in over 350 languages.
Definition of success
Ask Ingram how he defines success and pat comes the reply: “Success requires many things, but I would say that two very important factors are having a vision and assembling a team of people who both share it and can deliver it.”
He lets on that, “My vision for print on demand originated from thinking that it would be a smart idea if we could sell a book first and then print it, rather than papering our wholesale warehouse with books that we had bought and hoped to sell. I would also like to say to our publisher customers that we succeed when they succeed. Mutual success is a very powerful thing.”
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) and Aramex have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration, offering mutual benefits to their client bases.
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) and Aramex have recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration and provide mutual benefits to their client bases. This strategic partnership aims to streamline services between the two entities and increase communications to their respective customer databases.
The MoU between SPC Free Zone and Aramex signifies a welcomed step towards fostering a more efficient and collaborative business environment in Sharjah. By leveraging each other’s strengths and resources, both entities are set to offer enhanced services and support to their customers.
Mutual benefits and services
Under this agreement, clients of SPC Free Zone will benefit from Aramex’s extensive logistics network, ensuring reliable and timely delivery of their products to various destinations worldwide. On the other hand, Aramex’s clients will have access to the business-friendly environment and incentives offered by the SPC Free Zone, opening up new opportunities for expansion and growth.
The partnership between SPC Free Zone and Aramex highlights a shared commitment to innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. By combining their expertise and resources, both organisations aim to create a synergistic ecosystem that supports the growth and success of businesses in Sharjah and beyond.
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) and Alaan, a leading provider of digital business spending solutions, recently hosted ‘Chai with Alaan x SPC Free Zone’, a networking event at the Rove Downtown Hotel in Dubai.
The event brought together a diverse group of business owners, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals, providing a platform to explore emerging market opportunities, foster collaborations, and gain insights from leading market players in the UAE.
Saif Alsuwaidi, Director of SPC Free Zone, emphasised the importance of spaces where entrepreneurs can engage, learn, and grow. He noted that in today’s rapidly evolving market, understanding strategies for sustainable growth is essential. He expressed confidence that the insights shared by the event’s panellists would be both enlightening and practical.
William Saad, General Manager of Alaan, highlighted the need for a strategic blend of cost management and innovation for sustainable growth. He stressed the importance of staying ahead of digital innovations and changes in commercial laws. Saad expressed excitement about partnering with SPC Free Zone to introduce the UAE’s leading smart corporate card to their clients.
The event’s centrepiece was a panel discussion titled “Optimising Your Business for Growth”, featuring Andreea Andron, B2C Sales Head at SPC Free Zone, and William Saad. They discussed key aspects of starting and managing a business in the UAE, including Growth Hacking, Financial Planning, and Industry Trends.
Attendees gained first-hand advice from industry leaders, learning about strategic considerations for success in the UAE’s competitive market. The event also reinforced SPC Free Zone’s commitment to supporting business development in Sharjah, offering valuable networking opportunities within the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In a groundbreaking move that aims to revolutionize the way SMEs in Sharjah approach digitalization, the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) has entered into a strategic partnership with Amazon Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. This agreement, signed by Saif Al Suwaidi, Director of SPC Free Zone, and Chintan Dhebar, Marketplace Director at Amazon, is set to provide comprehensive support and guidance to SPC Free Zone members to scale their online presence.
The main goal of this collaboration is to accelerate the learning curve on digitalization for SMEs within the SPC Free Zone. By leveraging Amazon’s expertise and global reach, hundreds of businesses will have access to a suite of Amazon’s services, including step-by-step guidance for a seamless seller registration, onboarding, and education covering the fundamentals of online selling on the Amazon store. Additionally, support teams will be in place to ensure a smooth digital journey for all participants.
Saif Al Suwaidi, Director of SPC Free Zone, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “By partnering with Amazon UAE, we aim to further support SMEs in the region and empower them to navigate the digital landscape. This strategic investment in the future of entrepreneurship in Sharjah and the wider UAE will equip local businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the e-commerce era.”
Chintan Dhebar, Marketplace Director at Amazon Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey, highlighted the importance of supporting SMBs, stating, “Our sellers play an essential role in enhancing the customer experience on Amazon.ae. We are thrilled to collaborate with SPC Free Zone to help its members start selling on our platform and expand their reach to millions of customers. This partnership aligns with our goal of hosting products from 100,000 businesses, including UAE SMBs, on Amazon.ae by 2026.”
The strategic collaboration between SPC Free Zone and Amazon UAE underscores SPC Free Zone’s commitment to advancing the expertise of entrepreneurs in the realm of online retail. Both parties are dedicated to sustaining and expanding the program further to enhance Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and contribute to the growth of the UAE’s digital economy.
This partnership marks a significant step towards empowering SMEs in Sharjah to thrive in the digital age. With access to Amazon’s vast resources and support, businesses within the SPC Free Zone are poised to take their online presence to new heights. The collaboration between these two entities not only benefits the participating SMEs but also contributes to the overall growth and development of the UAE’s digital economy.
As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, partnerships such as the one between SPC Free Zone and Amazon are essential in ensuring that SMEs have the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed in the online marketplace. By providing comprehensive support and guidance, this collaboration is set to empower SMEs in Sharjah and beyond to reach new audiences and drive business growth.
Overall, the partnership between SPC Free Zone and Amazon is a testament to the commitment of both entities to support SMEs and entrepreneurs in their digital journey. By combining their expertise and resources, they are paving the way for a more vibrant and thriving e-commerce ecosystem in Sharjah and the wider UAE.
The extensive FedEx logistics network will help SPC Free Zone’s e-commerce firms unlock their next phase of growth
Ain Alalam – Rashad Iskandrni
July 29, 2024: Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) and Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), the world’s largest express transportation company, are collaborating to enhance international market access for e-commerce businesses in Sharjah. FedEx will use its global logistics network to connect e-commerce firms operating within the SPC Free Zone to 220 countries and territories, which account for more than 90% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP).
As part of the collaboration, FedEx experts engaged with SPC businesses and shared insights on how they can take their business global, and how its digital solutions and capabilities can help SMEs navigate the complexities of global trade and improve their ease of doing business.
By enabling local businesses to scale their operations, this collaboration is expected to enhance trade volumes across Sharjah, bolstering the competitiveness of the local economy, and contributing to the country’s economic diversification efforts. The collaboration also underscores the commitment of both SPC Free Zone and FedEx to foster a conducive business environment that encourages growth and innovation.
Following real GDP growth of 4.6% in 2023, Sharjah’s economy is projected to expand by 2.8% on average annually from 2024 to 2027, supported by activity in the manufacturing, construction, transport, and trade sectors[1]. Meanwhile, the value of non-oil foreign trade in the UAE surpassed AED3.5 trillion for the first time in 2023, coinciding with a continuous increase in non-oil exports[2].
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) and Aramex have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration and benefit their client bases
The MoU between SPC Free Zone and Aramex signifies a welcomed step towards fostering a more efficient and collaborative business environment in Sharjah. By leveraging each other’s strengths and resources, both entities are set to offer enhanced services and support to their customers.
Mutual benefits and services
Under this agreement, clients of SPC Free Zone will benefit from Aramex’s extensive logistics network, ensuring reliable and timely delivery of their products worldwide. Conversely, Aramex’s clients will gain access to the business-friendly environment and incentives offered by the SPC Free Zone, opening up new opportunities for expansion and growth.
The partnership highlights a shared commitment to innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. By combining their expertise and resources, both organisations aim to create a synergistic ecosystem that supports the growth and success of businesses in Sharjah and beyond.
Innovating business ecosystems
SPC Free Zone, established in 2017, is a cutting-edge free zone dedicated to the print, publishing, and creative industries. It offers over 2,000 business activities and supports businesses with 24/7 assistance, instant licenses, office spaces, and banking services. Incentives like tax exemptions, 100% ownership, and streamlined registration processes make it an ideal hub for entrepreneurs and startups in the UAE.
Aramex, founded in 1982, is a global logistics leader with a strong presence in the Middle East and North Africa. The company provides a wide range of services, including express delivery, freight forwarding, and e-commerce solutions. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Aramex ensures reliable and efficient delivery worldwide.
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) said in an announcement that it has partnered with Alan, a leading provider of digital business cost solutions, to host ‘Chai with Alaan x SPC Free Zone’, a dynamic networking event at Rowe Downtown Hotel in They were Dubai.
According to Amac News: The announcement of SPC Free Zone stated that the event brought together a diverse group of business owners, entrepreneurs and industry professionals, providing a unique platform for participants to explore emerging market opportunities. According to the announcement, this event strengthened business cooperation and gained valuable insights from leading players in the UAE market. In his opening remarks, Saif AlSuwaidi, director of the SPC Free Zone, emphasized the importance of creating spaces where entrepreneurs can collaborate, learn and grow together. Alaan CEO William Saad noted that sustainable business growth requires a strategic combination of cost management and innovation. To succeed, business owners and entrepreneurs need to stay ahead of digital innovations, changes in business laws and more. He added that the platform shows how businesses can balance multiple factors to be flexible and thrive in today’s environment. The centerpiece of the event was an insightful panel discussion titled “Optimizing Your Business for Growth” featuring Andreea Andron, B2C Sales Manager at SPC Free Zone, and William Saad, General Manager of Alaan. Both participants shared their expertise on the critical aspects of starting and managing a business in the UAE, particularly in a free zone environment. The discussion covered fundamental topics such as growth hacking, financial planning, cost management, creating a business plan, identifying the right target audience, and industry trends and forecasts. Attendees had the opportunity to gain first-hand advice from these business leaders and learn about the strategic considerations necessary to succeed in the competitive UAE market. The event highlighted the benefits of free zones in providing streamlined processes, supportive infrastructure and access to vibrant business communities that can significantly reduce the challenges faced by new entrepreneurs. The gathering reinforced SPC Free Zone’s commitment to supporting business development in Sharjah, creating meaningful opportunities for engagement and providing valuable networking opportunities in the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Participants discussed ways to capitalize on emerging market opportunities, and participants were allowed to exchange ideas, share experiences, and make connections that could lead to future business growth.
