Category: Featured In

SHARJAH: The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) made a significant impact at the recently concluded London Book Fair 2024, unveiling its vision for a unified business ecosystem tailored to the creative sectors. It showcased world-class services and exclusive offerings for book industry professionals while highlighting investment opportunities.

During the fair, SPC Free Zone presented its strategy for cultivating a comprehensive business environment for the creative industries. These industries are critical to the global economy, contributing 3.1% of global GDP and employing 6.2% of the workforce, generating nearly 50 million jobs worldwide. The free zone aims to attract leading companies in these sectors, fostering a collaborative business community in one location.

With a portfolio of over 10,000 active registered companies and offering more than 2,000 business activities, SPC Free Zone showcased its business-friendly environment, strong investment potential, and unique opportunities for sta
rtups looking to establish themselves in Sharjah and beyond, leveraging the emirate’s advanced logistical infrastructure.

It also provided insights into the growth of the publishing sector in Sharjah and the UAE, unveiling significant opportunities for international publishing professionals.

Mansour Al Hassani, Director of SPC Free Zone, highlighted the participation in the London International Book Fair as a strategic move to solidify its status in global cultural and publishing forums. He noted that it broadens its reach and provides a platform to highlight promising opportunities for startups and businesses wishing to expand in the region.

He added, “SPC Free Zone’s business ecosystem, bolstered by unparalleled competitive advantages and world-class services, plays a crucial role in advancing the global publishing and creative industries. Hosting a multitude of companies across various sectors, we not only fuel their growth but also form enduring partnerships. Furthermore, our commitment extends beyond
investment; we engage in continuous dialogue with our business community to tailor our offerings to their evolving needs, thereby driving their success and the sector’s innovation.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) is set to showcase its innovative ecosystem at the Startup Hub Expo India 2024 from January 17th to 19th at New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan expo centre, symbolizes a significant stride in SPC Free Zone’s mission to nurture and empower the vibrant Indian startup community with its comprehensive range of services and global business insights.

SPC Free Zone dedicated booth

The Startup Hub Expo India provides a strategic platform for SPC Free Zone to expand its global footprint while showcasing its innovative solutions and services. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit and explore the free zone’s dedicated booth to gain firsthand experience of the cutting-edge offerings, and engage with the onsite team for detailed insights, answers to queries, and the exploration of potential partnerships and collaborations.

Entrepreneurs and startups will also be able to schedule one-on-one meetings during the expo to discuss how SPC Free Zone can tailor solutions to meet their specific needs and contribute to their business success.

Supporting Indian ventures and entrepreneurs

Within the diverse ecosystem of SPC Free Zone, Indian companies stand as the largest contingent, constituting a substantial portion of the registered businesses. The SPC Free Zone has been instrumental in fostering a supportive environment for Indian entrepreneurs, offering them a strategic platform to establish and grow their ventures in the UAE.

The streamlined company setup process, instant licences, competitive costs, and state-of-the-art infrastructure have been key attractions for Indian entrepreneurs, contributing to the Free Zone’s status as a preferred destination.

SPC Free Zone’s commitment to collaboration and innovation has fostered a thriving community where startups benefit from networking opportunities, industry expertise, and tailored support services. This relationship has not only strengthened the Free Zone’s global presence, but also empowered Indian entrepreneurs to make significant strides in the publishing and related sectors within Sharjah and beyond.

Under the directives of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, the Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone has announced a support package for publishers wishing to establish or relocate their businesses to the city, including financial incentives up to AED 3 million. Whether from within the country or anywhere in the world, publishers will be exempted from 90% of licensing and business establishment fees.

This initiative embodies SPC Free Zone’s goals to advance the regional and global publishing industry. It asserts Sharjah’s status as a destination for creative industries. The agreements with beneficiaries of this generous initiative commit to printing no less than five new books within 12 months.

Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher Services at the Sharjah Book Authority and Acting Director of SPC Free Zone, said: “This initiative exemplifies our steadfast dedication to fortifying our role as a global epicentre for publishing, printing and distribution. The SPC Free Zone is wholly committed to empowering investors to harness the full spectrum of our extraordinary opportunities and advantages. The Sharjah International Book Fair presents a distinct prospect for publishers to integrate into an international community that has chosen Sharjah as its corporate base. New entrants will have the chance to partake in the success that the SPC Free Zone has cultivated over the years, nurturing an environment conducive to collaboration, proficiency, and knowledge exchange within a competitive landscape”.

He added that the initiative also reflects Sharjah’s steadfast belief in the pivotal role of creative industries in the economy and, “SPC Free Zone’s unwavering commitment to support and nurture them through every possible means. We wholeheartedly welcome all publishers who share our vision and mission.”

The initiative is a new step in Sharjah Book Authority’s journey to promote cultural dialogue between civilisations and support authors’ creative, literary, and intellectual output in the region and the world. It aims to add hundreds of new titles to Arab and global libraries, provide new opportunities for authors to publish their works and present their visions to readers of various languages. The initiative targets publishers exhibiting in the 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair.

AMMAN, 28th September, 2023 (WAM) — Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone is showcasing its world-class services and exclusive offerings for book industry professionals at the ongoing 22nd edition of Amman International Book Fair, held from 21st-30th September.

Through its interactive booth at the event, SPC Free Zone is turning the industry’s attention to its comprehensive ecosystem featuring cutting-edge facilities, robust legal, logistical and administrative support, tax-free earnings and other unique business incentives provided by the free zone to those businesses who wish to expand regionally and globally, with a vibrant operational base in the emirate.

At the book fair, visitors are keenly exploring the offerings of the fastest free zone, which boasts a seamless 45-minute trade licence issuance process. They are getting acquainted with UAE residency requirements and the privileges accompanying a single trading licence, including the opportunity to obtain a specific number of residencies. Additionally, they are being informed about the 1,500 commercial activities, of which they can select 5 to execute within the SPC Free Zone.

Visitors to the SPC Free Zone booth at Amman Book Fair are also learning about all the infrastructural facilities offered by the free zone, including warehousing, fully-furnished or empty office spaces, print-on-demand services, as well as a suite of other services like design, translation, shipping and distribution, which can be bought from other businesses who operate in SPC and provide these and other specialised services.

Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher Services at the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and Acting Director of SPC Free Zone (SPCFZ), noted that the participation in Amman International Book Fair 2023 promotes the free zone’s strategy to boost its business contributions to the Arab region, particularly in publishing and creative industries, and attract more publishers from different countries to Sharjah.

He said, “We are focused on strengthening our status as a top destination for investors in the publishing and creative sectors by offering them agile and intuitive services, strategic business advice and a host of financial incentives to enable them to maximise their profits. The one-stop-shop at SPC Free Zone will expedite issuances of new business licences, allow 100 percent business ownership rights, facilitate employee recruitment, offer priority banking and provide residency permits.”

The Sharjah delegation highlighted to visitors that it is home to 189 Jordanian companies, and nearly 40 percent are publishers and creative content production companies, who have benefitted hugely from SPC Free Zone’s amenities and facilities while establishing themselves, and attained great success while expanding from the region’s cultural and publishing hub – Sharjah.

The world’s first-of-its-kind free zone marks International Literacy Day by supporting the publishing and creative industries through its offerings and services.

According to a recent UN report, 773 million adults worldwide grapple with fundamental reading and writing deficits, depriving them of their rights and opportunities for education, employment, and meaningful social participation. And to overcome this challenge, the world annually observes International Literacy Day on September 8 to advance collective and concerted efforts to bridge the knowledge divide by promoting better access to knowledge and literacy.

Illiteracy, an affliction felt universally, calls for a collaborative approach, drawing upon the collective strength of institutions and individuals to mitigate its adverse impact on pursuing comprehensive and sustainable development objectives. This annual occasion, therefore, shines light on the tireless endeavours of international institutions and organisations dedicated to advancing literacy, promoting books, and facilitating access to knowledge, both in the Arab region and across the globe.

In the Arab world, Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone serves as a model of support for the global book industry & a key driver of UAE’s knowledge building efforts.

The entity’s relentless efforts to promote literacy worldwide by supporting the publishing sector and creative industries, are reflected in its myriad offerings and a business-friendly environment, which empower and enable industry players to thrive and produce quality educational and literary content tailored to stimulate individuals of all age groups.

SPC Free Zone also fosters collaborative innovation within the industry by promoting and facilitating knowledge and expertise exchange between publishers.Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher Services at the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and Acting Director of SPC Free Zone (SPCFZ), underscored the significance of International Literacy Day and the integral role Sharjah plays in implementing strategies to eradicate illiteracy globally.

“SPC Free Zone embodies the vision of Sharjah – the UNESCO World Book Capital 2019-20 – to strengthen culture, education and creativity in society, closely aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly #4, that is to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’”, he said.

“We are committed to bolstering the publishing sector through the free zone’s comprehensive services and facilities. Our practical approach includes promoting the creation of quality content and the production of books locally to increase access and ignite a passion for reading, nurture a love for knowledge, and support global efforts to eradicate illiteracy. We believe education and reading are fundamental human rights and the bedrock for sustainable development”, he added.

SPC Free Zone’s efforts encompass a spectrum of initiatives, including robust collaborations with publishers and creators. The free zone is home to over 1,500 publishers and investors from more than 40 countries, offering them unique and state-of-the-art facilities to create and distribute high-quality educational and cultural content and facilitating their access to readers regionally and globally.

The efforts don’t stop there. It proactively supports literacy campaigns and educational initiatives through partnerships with governmental and private entities, such as the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA). SPC Free Zone is also home to Lightning Source Sharjah – the first large-scale print-on-demand operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, revolutionising book printing by facilitating high-quality, rapid production and global distribution, empowering publishers to manage their inventories and reduce printing expenses efficiently.

Furthermore, it spares no effort to champion raising the quality of educational and cultural content, foster cultural exchange between nations, and spearhead literacy campaigns to cultivate a culture of reading among all segments and age groups.

On Emirati Women’s Day, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ) is celebrating business women and female entrepreneurs who are leading the UAE’s economy with a limited-time package to set up their ventures in one of the UAE’s fastest-growing free zones that promotes businesses and start-ups across publishing, creative industries and allied businesses.

In line with the occasion’s theme for the year, ‘We Collaborate for Tomorrow’, SPCFZ, is uniting its efforts along with several other national initiatives, particularly within the UAE’s and Sharjah’s SME sector, to support not just local women but female entrepreneurs from every part of the world to make their dreams a reality in the business-friendly environment of Sharjah.

The exclusive package from SPCFZ includes a discounted price of Dhs5,999, along with a comprehensive list of services and benefits that will pave the way for a seamless entrepreneurial journey.

Aspiring business owners, especially those in the publishing, creative sectors, and allied industries, can avail unique solutions tailored to their needs in the world’s first-of-its-kind free zone.

With a successful track record of issuing business licences in less than 45 minutes, SPCFZ has earned the reputation of being the fastest free zone, and offers business owners the flexibility to integrate up to three choices from an exhaustive list of 1,500 business activities.

Those who avail the package will be offered personalised corporate banking support, company stamp issuance, and more.

The initiative’s significance has been underscored by Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher Services at the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and Acting Director of SPCFZ. “Emirati Women’s Day stands as a powerful testament to the indelible contributions made by women to both our societal fabric and economic landscape. At SPCFZ, we aspire to empower women and equip them with the resources necessary for unparalleled success in the business world”.

“We encourage both aspiring and established female owned and led businesses and startups to make the most of this limited-period opportunity, and experience exponential growth and commercial success in one of the UAE’s most economically diverse and fastest-growing emirate,” he added.

As a frontrunner in promoting Sharjah’s status as a global hub for the creative and knowledge sectors, SPC Free Zone is committed to providing unparalleled opportunities for regional market expansion and global impact.

Entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can get their UAE business license in just 45 minutes from the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone), the world’s first publishing free zone.

The free zone offers a wide range licenses for 1,500 business activities to choose from. But if you’re in the publishing or other related business, you can get your UAE business license in less than an hour.

Your UAE business license will cost you AED14,500 at the publishing city free zone.

The publishing city free zone announced a discounted limited-time package to facilitate registration of aspiring entrepreneurs. It provides those in the sector with the opportunity to join the largest publishing ecosystem in the region.

This package also includes the processing of essential documents such as Memorandum of Association (MOA), free zone lease agreements, share certificates, incorporation certificates and business activity certificates.

Additionally, it covers administrative processes such as e-channel registration, establishment card issuance and UAE residency in less than five days, as well as Emirates ID typing.

SEOUL, 19th June, 2023 (WAM) — Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) has concluded a successful participation in the 65th Seoul International Book Fair, igniting the interest of leading industry players from South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia France and Italy who are looking to access growth markets in the UAE, Middle East, and beyond.

During a series of meetings with SPC Free Zone’s officials, leading company representatives from these countries gained valuable insights into the wide range of world-class services and advanced administrative, legal, financial and logistical infrastructure they can benefit from at the free zone during company formation.

The meeting’s attendees learned about SPC Free Zone’s specific strategies that are designed to deliver efficiency. These include the issuances of business licences and investor & residency visas in less than 45 minutes, availability of over 1,500 business activities, priority banking services, fully fitted office spaces, the region’s only print-on-demand facility within its premises, and more. Other advantages and business incentives include unparalled location at the centre of the world and global connectivity via sea, air and land; uninterrupted access to growth markets; security; local access to skilled and qualified personnel; 100% company ownership and profit repatriation; and a forward-looking ecosystem for accelerated growth.

SPC Free Zone reiterated to the meetings’ attendees how it has stayed committed to bringing people, process and technology seamlessly together to create an agile foundation for every publishing and creative industry player in the UAE, following Sharjah’s cultural leadership in the region and the world.

Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher’s Services at the Sharjah Book Authority and Acting Director of SPC Free Zone, said: “Prestigious international events like the Seoul International Book Fair, and Sharjah’s prominent participation as Guest of Honour, offer us an invaluable opportunity to turn global attention to the unparalleled growth infrastructure, seamless services and ease of doing business SPC Free Zone members can benefit from. At this event, we sparked exceptional business interest, particularly from Asian and European nations”.

“SPC Free Zone empowers publishing and creative sector players to take a leap forward in terms of both volumes and quality of content they are directing towards customers. We look forward to bringing more ambitious and talented industry players into our customer-focused environment, thereby boosting Sharjah’s and the UAE’s appeal for attracting the best and most diverse talent pool found anywhere in the world,” he added.

Hatem Mohamed

The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) is offering entrepreneurs in the country the opportunity to obtain a permit to start a new business in as little as 45 minutes, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The Free Zone offers a wide range of 2000 business activities to choose from.

Aspiring business owners, especially in publishing, creative and related industries, can take advantage of unique solutions tailored to their needs in the world’s first publishing free zone.

For just Dh14,500, newcomers to the free zone will receive a 45-minute business license, an investor visa and the flexibility to combine up to three activities for the 1,500 businesses in the free zone.

To further support aspiring entrepreneurs, the SPC Free Zone has launched a limited-time package that reduces licensing and business setup costs, offering business owners a strategic opportunity to join the largest publishing ecosystem in the region.

The package also includes the processing of essential documents such as the Memorandum of Association (MOA), Free Zone Lease Agreement, share certificates, certificate of incorporation and certificate of business activity.

Additionally, the package covers administrative processes such as e-channel registration, business license issuance and UAE residency in less than five days, as well as UAE ID typing.

SHARJAH, 26th May, 2023 (WAM) – The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) has secured over ten promising partnerships with esteemed Arab and international publishers.

The entities from Sweden, Egypt, and Algeria have elected to establish branches of their publishing houses in the emirate of Sharjah, to benefit from its comprehensive services and ecosystem that cater to investors in the publishing and creative industries, enabling them to access global markets.

Participating under the Sharjah Book Authority pavilion, at the 32nd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), SPCFZ held a series of meetings with more than 50 publishers from around the globe interested in opening branches in Sharjah, and highlighted the emirate’s efforts and facilities designed to support the publishing and creative industries.

SPCFZ has more than 2,000 companies from 60 countries operating in the free zone, creating a vast network while offering a wide range of services beneficial to publishers to operate and conduct their business with ease.

It also highlighted its services such as translation, distribution, and book promotion, as well as printing, shipping and facilitating commercial licences.

The free zone also underscored its initiatives and endeavours in advancing the book and knowledge sector. By fostering an environment conducive to a wide array of publishing, printing, and aligned enterprises, this pioneering free zone aims to provide a fertile ground for the establishment, expansion, and exploration of new markets, propelling the global publishing industry to even greater heights.

The visitors were presented with a comprehensive introduction to the many benefits of joining SPCFZ, including highly competitive rental rates, cutting-edge shipping services, and state-of-the-art office spaces equipped with the latest technologies.

Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher Services at SBA, and Acting Director of SPCFZ, said, “SPCFZ’s active engagement in local and international exhibitions forms a pivotal component of our overarching strategy, aimed at amplifying awareness of the emirate’s visionary aspirations. Through these platforms, we showcase the many appealing services, facilities, opportunities, and workspaces that Sharjah provides, attracting a great number of publishers and investors within the creative and knowledge industries.”

Expanding on the role SPCFZ plays in the emirate, Al Hassani stated, “Our commitment is to promote Sharjah’s esteemed status and vital role as a global hub that supports and stimulates the book industry. By hosting major regional and international institutions, and establishing a comprehensive creative environment that contributes to achieving sustainable advancement, it opens up opportunities for publishers to expand to markets in the region and make an impact on the global market.”

Since its establishment in 2017, SPCFZ has achieved numerous accomplishments in hosting companies and institutions operating in the publishing, printing, distribution, and book manufacturing sectors.

It provides these companies and institutions with an investment-friendly environment and world-class infrastructure, ensuring them multiple competitive advantages and effective services to support and facilitate their access to global markets.