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Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ), the world’s first printing and publishing free zone, is scaling up efforts to create a nurturing environment for a broad spectrum of publishing, printing, and allied businesses to set up, grow and reach new markets, and contribute to the booming global publishing industry.

The range of affordable solutions for business setup needs at SPCFZ’s integrated ecosystem enables publishers to set up their businesses in just one day in Sharjah’s high-growth and promising investment environment. A range of cost-effective and value-added services are also fuelling the entrepreneurial aspirations of publishers and facilitating their access to global markets. These services save time, are convenient, enhance communication with industry experts, and help publishers focus on growing their businesses.

By choosing a specialised publishing setup package starting from AED 6,875, publishers can benefit from the following services: 

Consultancy services: Depending on the primary activity and current and future plans of the business, SPCFZ guides investors in deciding the structure that best suits the organisation. Investors can get pre-approvals, formalise registration of the business, and get the Business License within 45 minutes.

Drafting services:  SPCFZ provides drafting services for vital legal documents that are crucial for the formation of any business including Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Lease Agreements. 

Document services: Investors at SPCFZ will be provided with essential documents on finalising the process of company formation. These include Share Certificate, Certificate of Formation, and Business Activity Certificate.

Visa Services: SPCFZ offers multiple options that help publishers choose the right residency visa for their business needs. It also speeds up the visa issuance process for investors through a branch of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, port security in the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone.

Other Services: Under the publishing package, investors can nominate up to 5 licensed activities from different categories under one trade license without any additional fees, and the publisher can also register as a member of the Emirates Publishers Association under the agreement of understanding between the free zone and the association.

Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPCFZ, said: “The value-added services under the free zone’s Publishing Package aim to fulfil the unique needs of each investor, whether they are just starting out in the business or looking to expand their operations. Apart from the wide range of benefits accruing to all investors in a free zone, the additional services further enhance the supportive environment at the free zone and take forward our commitment to creating an inclusive ecosystem for regional and international publishers.”

To know more about SPCFZ’s Publishing Package, please visit  https://spcfz.ae/setup-packages

The Sharjah Publishing CityFree Zone (SPCFZ) has spotlighted the array of world-class services and unparalleled business incentives it has designed for global players seeking to foray into regional markets, in publishing, creative and other industries at the 31^st edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which runs until May 29 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

SPCFZ has also taken the opportunity to showcase the comprehensive amenities companies operating in the free zone provide, which new entrants can benefit from. These include shipping and logistics, translations, distribution to name a few.

Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPC Free Zone, said: “Our participation in Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is aimed at informing participants and guests from the UAE, the region and around the world about our services and incentives, as well as educate them about ways in which they can leverage these benefits to establish and grow their regional presence out of Sharjah”.

“We have been in several networking meetings with participating publishers, and have discussed the promising opportunities they can transform into successful business results by utilising SPCFZ’s advanced infrastructure in addition to key services to companies from 106 countries that operate in the free zone,” he added.

Leveraging Sharjah’s strategic location between east and west, SPC Free Zone has been playing a key role in bringing publishers from either sides of the world closer, propelling the entry and expansion of industry players into the Gulf, Middle East and North Africa regions. It offers businesses an advantageous free-zone business environment with numerous benefits including 100 percent foreign ownership, best-in-class infrastructure replete with fully-equipped office spaces, and comprehensive allied services like printing, licensing and distribution.

Sharjah24 : The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ) has spotlighted the array of world-class services and unparalleled business incentives it has designed for global players seeking to foray into regional markets, in publishing, creative and other industries at the 31st edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which runs until May 29 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

SPCFZ has also taken the opportunity to showcase the comprehensive amenities companies operating in the free zone provide, which new entrants can benefit from. These include shipping and logistics, translations, distribution to name a few.

Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPC Free Zone, said: “Our participation in Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is aimed at informing participants and guests from the UAE, the region and around the world about our services and incentives, as well as educate them about ways in which they can leverage these benefits to establish and grow their regional presence out of Sharjah”.

“We have been in several networking meetings with participating publishers, and have discussed the promising opportunities they can transform into successful business results by utilising SPCFZ’s advanced infrastructure in addition to key services to companies from 106 countries that operate in the free zone,” he added.

Leveraging Sharjah’s strategic location between east and west, SPC Free Zone has been playing a key role in bringing publishers from either sides of the world closer, propelling the entry and expansion of industry players into the Gulf, Middle East and North Africa regions. It offers businesses an advantageous free-zone business environment with numerous benefits including 100 percent foreign ownership, best-in-class infrastructure replete with fully-equipped office spaces, and comprehensive allied services like printing, licensing and distribution.

Sharjah Book Authority welcomed delegation headed by Oman’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth at the SBA Pavilion

Press Release March 7, 2022

Muscat: As part of its mission to reinforce Sharjah’s cultural ties with the region and the wider Arab world, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) participated in the 26th Muscat International Book Fair, where 715 publishers from 27 countries exhibited their publications.

At the SBA pavilion, visitors and guests of the book fair were introduced to Sharjah’s cultural project, and to the ongoing efforts of SBA in enriching the publishing industry through innovative initiatives and hosting of international events including the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF). SBA also showcased the facilities and extensive range of business support services offered by the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone), and the vital support offered to publishers, translators, and content creators by the Sharjah International Literary Agency (SILA).

During the book fair, HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, received His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth in Oman, and a delegation of high ranking Omani officials and cultural figures to the SBA pavilion. The SBA Chairman presented the Minister with a copy of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah’s newly published ‘The History of Al Ya’ariba in Oman’ and ‘Friendship and Trade Treaty between the King of Portugal and the Sultan of Zanzibar in 1879 AD’’.

The Omani Minister lauded the keen interest and efforts of the Ruler of Sharjah in documenting the history of the region to preserve it for the benefit of future generations.

During the book fair, HE Al Ameri also met with HE Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, to discuss cooperation opportunities to support the publishing industry and draw attention to the outstanding literary output of the two countries at international events and exhibitions.

Commenting on SBA’s participation at the book fair, Al Ameri said: “SBA’s participation in Muscat International Book Fair stems from the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to build cultural bridges between nations and takes forward SBA’s agenda of celebrating book fairs at the local and international levels in support of creatives and publishers.”

The SBA Chairman added: “Through its regional and international participation, SBA is keen on spotlighting the strengths of the Emirati cultural scene and introduce visitors, publishers, and dignitaries at book fairs to Sharjah’s cultural project and its efforts in enhancing the publishing sector in the region. Our participation also aims to instill and promote the culture of reading, which is a cornerstone of building knowledge-based communities.”

During the international event, the SBA Chairman met with several directors of book fairs across the Arab region. He introduced them to the various cultural events and initiatives organised locally and regionally by the Authority, and briefed them on the ongoing efforts to boost Emirati and Arab literature at the international level in a bid to build cultural bridges around the world.

SHARJAH, 27th February, 2022 (WAM) — Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), received a delegation of US senators including Gustavo Rivera, Kevin Thomas, and James Skoufis, to explore cooperation between the SBA and cultural affairs entities in the United States.

During a meeting at SBA’s headquarters, the two parties discussed several topics related to the publishing industry, library development, and the enhancement of Sharjah’s participation in Arab cultural initiatives in the US.

Other topics of discussion included the development of a strategic framework to help Arab and US cultural foundations create new communication channels and initiate joint action that best serves the promotion of Arab arts and Arabic literature in the US.

The delegates were introduced to SBA’s services and projects that support the publishing industry.

They visited the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) and were briefed on the benefits offered to investors.

They were also briefed on the international festivals and initiatives organised by SBA, most notably the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), and the Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Exhibition.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, welcomed the American delegation, and emphasised the SBA’s adherence to the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which emphasises the impact of communication and fruitful cooperation between nations and cultures. Stating that SBA welcomes the exchange of global expertise and experience in all creative sectors, Al Ameri highlighted the influential position of the US in the global books market and its leading role in the industry’s technical development processes.

Al Ameri highlighted the international stature of SIBF which earned the title of the world’s largest book fair in the sale and purchase of copyright in 2021 at the fair’s milestone 40th edition.

The US Senators expressed their pleasure on visiting Sharjah and learning about the development of the publishing industry and library services, and the renaissance the emirate is witnessing in creative sectors and its achievements in consolidating the role of books in society. The US senators also shared their vision about the future of the publishing industry and prospects for its development especially with the current digital acceleration.

Commenting on their visit to the emirate, Senator Gustavo Rivera pointed out that the unparalleled support of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah to promote a culture of reading and foster the role of books in cross-cultural communication has paved the way for fruitful cooperation and partnership in the cultural field between nations.

Senator Kevin Thomas, said: “We have seen that Sharjah has a long-term vision to enhance the future of culture and foster its presence in all aspects of life, and this is clearly manifested through the emirate’s dedication to promoting knowledge and ensuring that the largest segment of society has access to books.”

At the same time, Senator James Skoufis stressed that he looks forward to more strategic partnerships with Sharjah in public and private sectors, pointing out that the meeting with SBA’s officials will pave the way for greater cooperation between Sharjah and US cultural entities that seek to expand into the emirate.

WAM/Hazem Hussein

Related Article: Publishing – Book Publishers in UAE

Dubai – The free zone’s integrated ecosystem played a key role in attracting new investors.

by A Staff Reporter

Published: Mon 4 Jan 2021, 4:41 PM

Leveraging Sharjah’s strategic location and business-friendly environment, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ) has been playing a key role in bringing publishing companies, education providers and allied businesses from around the globe to the emirate, enabling the entry and expansion of industry players into the Mena region.

Despite a challenging economic year resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, 100 new enterprises from 23 countries, including five higher education institutions, chose SPC Free Zone as their base in the region this year.

It is a testament to the advantageous free-zone business environment with numerous benefits that SPC Free Zone offers including 100 per cent foreign ownership, best-in-class infrastructure replete with fully-equipped office spaces, and comprehensive allied services like printing, licensing and distribution, underscoring its position as a leading economic and investment destination for investors from across the world.

India tops the list

Companies from India topped the list of the 28 enterprises that registered at SPC Free Zone this year, followed by the UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, KSA, Egypt, Pakistan, Malaysia, Ireland, Albania, the Philippines, Turkey, New Zealand, Tanzania, Singapore, the UK, Sweden, Ghana and Sri Lanka.

Companies specialising in the publishing sector made up the lion’s share of the new entrants. The rest of the new entities at SPC Free Zone were drawn from the creative industries, commercial consulting, law, and other administrative sectors. Emirati companies that made SPC Free Zone their home included EDU Fikra, House of Books and Kitab Kids, to name a few.

The five global education institutions, which offer higher education as well as corporate training courses, in addition specialized publishing programs, include Athena Global Education FZE, Westford University College FZE, Success Point College FZE, Capital College and Exeed College FZE.

A competitive business environment

SPC Free Zone’s promising investment environment offers several cost-effective options to investors and entrepreneurs from around the world, including help in getting approvals and issue of visas.

Salim Omar Salim, director of SPC Free Zone, said: “These numbers are indicative of Sharjah’s appeal as a commercial hub, and spotlight its strong investment environment across sectors. The fact that reputed global companies chose SPC Free Zone as their regional base attests to the emirate’s advanced publishing market, whose appeal SPC Free Zone continues to enhance by offering exclusive and timely opportunities to industry players.”

The SPC Free Zone director also noted that the free zone’s integrated ecosystem, which is home to companies representing a broad spectrum of publishing, printing and allied businesses, played a key role in attracting new investors.

Business stimulus package

SPC Free Zone stepped forward to help publishing companies overcome the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic with an inclusive business stimulus package. Acting on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and approved by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC), SPC Free Zone had offered discounts of up to 35 per cent in licencing, rental and administrative to companies as part of SPC Free Zone incentive package.

Apart from the discounts on leasing and commercial licensing fees, SPC Free Zone also offered relief packages to alleviate the burden on existing clients with exemption of leasing fees apart from rescheduling of payments.

SPC Free Zone was established in 2017 as the world’s very first printing and publishing free zone offering the book and larger creative industries as well as allied businesses the opportunity to capitalise on an array of benefits emerging from operating within a free zone environment, including a strategic location at the epicentre of the globe with all the advantages of being able to serve the MENA, African and Asian region’s markets. 

SHARJAH, 31st July, 2021 (WAM) — Salim Omar Salim, Director of Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone), has been appointed Board Member of the World Free Zones Organisation (World FZO), a global not-for-profit organisation offering an authoritative and collective voice for free zones around the world.

As the Board Member of World FZO, the SPC Free Zone Director will bring his extensive cross-sectoral experience to its knowledge committee responsible for developing the intellectual base for economic free zone research and global trade rules. In addition, he will lead a number of tasks related to communication with international organisations, private sector associations, multinational companies as well as industry and financial sector representatives from the global investment community.

The World FZO brings together free zones from all over the world and promote their positive impacts by providing guidance, knowledge and services to its members, to enhance free zones’ contribution in the economic prosperity and social development of the host country.

Since 2019, SPC Free Zone has been a voting member of World FZO and has benefitted from several services open to members including industry research, operational and administrative support services, high-level training, and strategic networking opportunities with peers, consultants, service-providers, policy makers, and key business decision makers from around the world.

The SPC Free Zone – established in 2017 as the world’s first printing and publishing free zone, has emerged as a value-driven organisation that offers a thriving environment for publishers to grow and reach new markets.

The free zone’s integrated ecosystem, which is home to companies representing a broad spectrum of publishing, printing, and allied businesses, offers a promising investment environment, an array of competitive advantages, a world-class infrastructure and several cost-effective options to support publishers and other businesses and enhance their access to global markets.

WAM/Tariq alfaham

Free zones play a critical role in strengthening the start-up and SME ecosystem

The start-up ecosystem in the UAE has witnessed phenomenal growth in the past few years, buoyed by a series of regulatory changes to company formation, visa reforms, and a host of government-led funding and mentoring opportunities, and incentives. The country has also recorded a continuous improvement in its ease of doing business, which has helped consolidate UAE’s appeal as a preferred hub for local and foreign investors.

The UAE ranked first worldwide in the Global Entrepreneurship Index 2022, climbing three spots from its fourth ranking in the last year’s report. The UAE also emerged as the number one destination for establishing and starting businesses.

A resilient start-up ecosystem

Supporting entrepreneurship is a priority in the UAE’s Fifty Economic Plan — the national strategy created in preparation for the next 50 years. As part of its National Entrepreneurship Agenda, the UAE aims to become home to 20 unicorns — start-ups valued at more than $1 billion — in the next decade, increase the number of SMEs in the country, and enhance the contribution of this sector to the GDP.

With more than 350,000 businesses, SMEs currently represent over 94 percent of all companies operating in the UAE, employing over 86 percent of the labour force in the private sector and contributing over 60 percent of GDP.

A major push towards driving the UAE’s start-up ecosystem comes from the nation’s over 45 free zones offering cost-effective business incorporation packages along with various incentives, infrastructural support, and benefits that help entrepreneurs scale and grow their businesses.

“Free zones promote the UAE as a favourable business hub with a host of incentives to attract local and foreign investments. Their business-friendly rules and legislations provide flexibility and ease of accessibility for new entrepreneurs and experienced investors alike,” says Salim Omar Salim, Director of Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone.

Free zones promote the UAE as a favourable business hub with a host of incentives to attract local and foreign investments. Their business-friendly rules and legislations provide flexibility and ease of accessibility for new entrepreneurs and experienced investors alike.

– Salim Omar Salim, Director of Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone

SPC Free Zone provides a supportive platform to entrepreneurs looking to venture into the post-pandemic market with their new and innovative ideas. “We issue trade licenses in just two hours, offer various business packages as well as exceptional concierge services to help entrepreneurs and investors thrive,” Salim adds.

Driver of business success

As an innovative free zone, IFZA has attracted a significant number of international investors to Dubai, contributing to its economic prosperity, while developing its business landscape and driving future economic growth.

“By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, we attract job creators and contribute to cultivating a greater talent pool that greatly benefits Dubai,” says Jochen Knecht, CEO, IFZA.

IFZA has taken various initiatives to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and facilitate growth in their businesses.

By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, we attract job creators and contribute to cultivating a greater talent pool that greatly benefits Dubai.

– Jochen Knecht, CEO, IFZA

“Our hybrid processes allow entrepreneurs the ease of completing their company formation while at their home countries. After company formation, the IFZA ecosystem also provides a wider range of products and services that would help them set up their operations at the IFZA Business Park quicker. These include property and warehouse solutions, office fitout, vehicle rental, health insurance, and many more,” says Knecht.

Uptick in company formation

While the pandemic has caused upheaval across every industry imaginable, forcing organizations to reassess their growth opportunities in the new normal, many free zones in the UAE have experienced increases in entrepreneurial activity, registering a rise in new business applications.

The number of registered companies at Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) grew to reach 1,792 in 2021, posting a 4 percent increase compared to 2020. “We managed to perform strongly despite difficult market conditions due to the sustained confidence of foreign investors and companies in us,” says Eng. Ali Al Suwaidi, Director General, Ajman Free Zone.

AFZ is maintaining its relationship with the embassies, business councils and international business set-up advisors to grow the market and attract foreign investments as part of its effort to establish a competitive business hub and destination. 

– Eng. Ali Al Suwaidi, Director General, Ajman Free Zone

“This is apart from our pre-pandemic efforts to strengthen and enhance our integrated business ecosystem, tech-driven infrastructure, packages of cost-effective business solutions and facilities, incentives, sustainability commitment, flexible legislation, and many more. Being responsive to market demand and maintaining our relationships with business partners also led to growth and attracting the supply chain to AFZ,” Al Suwaidi adds.

India, Pakistan, and China account for the largest share of investments at AFZ, followed by the UK, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. “AFZ is maintaining its relationship with the embassies, business councils and international business set-up advisors to grow the market and attract foreign investments as part of its effort to establish a competitive business hub and destination.”

Innovating to stay ahead of the curve

Apart from offering a supportive environment that has been conducive for start-ups to flourish and grow, free zones have worked on all fronts during the pandemic to drive the nation’s agenda to promote entrepreneurship. They introduced several measures to help their existing clients cushion the blow and prospective entrepreneurs seize new opportunities.

These came in the form of simplified business set-up processes, discounted company incorporation packages, subsidised rates for value added services, mentoring services, targeted events and networking opportunities, and support in technology adoption and digital transformation. These measures helped new firms overcome several entry barriers into the UAE’s dynamic business landscape.

Adapting to the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) trends, technology has become a critical component of free zone operations. They have begun to leverage digital technology, data security, and cloud systems to enhance customer engagement, automate processes, streamline operations as well as to stay agile and flexible in the changing business environment.

“At Meydan Free Zone, we share the UAE’s vision of a digital future. As the only 24/7 digital-free zone, we offer a completely paperless environment. All payments, applications, and documents are submitted via our virtual portal,” says a spokesperson from Meydan Free Zone.

“We’ve also modernized the corporate banking process. Instead of making new customers wait to manually open an account, our Meydan Pay service offers an instant and guaranteed IBAN – so customers can start transacting right away.

“In line with the UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025, Meydan Free Zone is committed to giving businesses the tools and technology they need to thrive in the digital age — now and in the future. With a focus on fintech and other innovative technology businesses, we aim to bring 2,500 new businesses on board in 2022,” the spokesperson adds.

Sharjah Media City (Shams), which acts as a catalyst for creative and media businesses, has always remained proactive by utilizing the latest virtual and digital technology to manage its business, communicate with customers, and provide access to its services, with 99 percent of its offerings being available on digital platforms.

“Pre-pandemic, we had utilized electronic platforms for virtual communication between employees and departments and for managing meetings. This put us at a high degree of readiness to run our operations smoothly during the lockdown,” says Dr. Khalid Omar Al Midfa, Chairman, of Sharjah Media City — Shams.

With a country-specific focus, we can see that the UAE has strengthened its presence with more opportunities – a sign of the economy’s flexibility and resilience. 

– Dr. Khalid Omar Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Media City — Shams

“Shams achieved a 67 percent growth in its number of registered companies in 2020. This proves that our preparedness was instrumental in enabling us to expand our business.”

Meanwhile, the UAE has introduced several initiatives in the past 18 months to replace hurdles to start-up growth with incentives that facilitate success. This includes a three-stage comprehensive program, Skill up, Startup, and Scale-up, designed to help the nation consolidate its position as a global hub for entrepreneurs and SMEs.

While the Skill Up scheme begins in schools, providing basic training in entrepreneurship, Start Up is training and support for early-stage investors, while Scale Up is aimed at targeting growth-stage companies with funding and expertise in expanding their operations within and outside the UAE.

“With a country-specific focus, we can see that the UAE has strengthened its presence with more opportunities – a sign of the economy’s flexibility and resilience. These attributes facilitate entrepreneurial activity, whether new start-ups or the expansion of existing businesses,” says Al Midfa.

Shams has recently launched a business center to strengthen Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. “The Shams Business Centre is the core of our community and is our first step in further developing the free zone, which lies on a two million square meter space,” says Al Midfa. “This will soon become an integrated base that will create opportunities and transform the innovative ideas of entrepreneurs into viable projects, contributing to the UAE’s media community.”

Sectors in focus

Start-ups, using innovative, emerging tech to make life easier, have seen robust growth in the past few years, driven by the UAE’s targeted measures to boost technology entrepreneurship.

Dubai has recently launched the Dubai Future District Fund, with an initial investment of Dh1 billion. The move is part of the Dubai Future District’s (DFD) ongoing efforts to support start-ups in the field of technology and encourage them to list in the Dubai Financial Markets and stock exchange.

While the pandemic-induced restrictions and increased adoption of digital technology have encouraged many entrepreneurs to start businesses in fintech, remote diagnostics, virtual fitness, cybersecurity, drone technology, and delivery services, plenty of opportunity remains in traditional economic sectors, such as construction, logistics, energy, tourism, and retail, as the world returns to normal and organizations look ahead to position themselves better than they were before the health crisis, say leaders of the UAE’s top free zones.

SUPPORTING START-UPS AND SMES
Ajman Free Zone implements policies and strategies designed to support SMEs and start-ups. Eng. Ali Al Suwaidi, Director General, of Ajman Free Zone, says, “Our offerings include customized products and licenses to suit client businesses, and our value-added AFZ+ is another competitive edge of the free zone. Under AFZ+, our more than 50 strategic partners deliver immense growth opportunities to SMEs and entrepreneurs. Licensed companies and SMEs accounted for a combined 51 percent of our total procurement of goods and services in 2021. Our procurement policy forms part of our support to them.”

SHARJAH, 7th April, 2022 (WAM) — The 49th London Book Fair, where Sharjah is being honoured as “Market Focus”, brought together Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and David Taylor, Ingram SVP for Content Acquisition International, to discuss the future of the supply chain and print-on-demand services being showcased at Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone, citing the example of Lightning Source Sharjah.

During a panel discussion titled “The Future of Book Supply”, Al Ameri emphasised that Sharjah has become the centre of the book industry in Asia and North Africa due to the farsightedness and directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who believes in the power of the written word and recognises the impact of culture in developing communities and building bridges between civilisations.

At the session moderated by Porter Anderson, from Publishing Perspectives, the SBA Chairman noted that Sharjah was the first city to bring about a radical transformation in the publishing sector by establishing the Sharjah Publishing (SPC) City Free Zone, a first-of-its-kind hub for publishing, printing, and allied businesses. The SBA Chairman pointed out that SPC Free Zone has created a unified platform for publishers to complete all translation, publishing, and distribution activities and provides world-class services and advanced infrastructure to assist publishers in overcoming any sector-related challenges.

Al Ameri pointed out that collaborating with Ingram to launch Lightning Source Sharjah was a fruitful journey that further exemplifies Sharjah’s pioneering role in expanding the book industry globally. Through the partnership, Ingram reached the Asian and African markets quicker and at lower costs through advanced print-on-demand services.

He said, “SPC Free Zone, where Ingram operates, benefits from the unique geographic location of Sharjah that connects Asia with Africa and other emerging markets, the global stature of the annual Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), and SIBF Publishers Conference, as well as the advanced and integrated infrastructure and solutions offered at the free zone including storage, logistics, and printing.”

David Taylor, Ingram SVP for Content Acquisition International, said, “Before working with Sharjah, it took us two to three weeks to deliver a title in the Asian or African markets. Today, it only takes two days. The print-on-demand service is more effective as it utilises the services and advanced infrastructure at SPC Free Zone.”

He pointed out that the biggest challenge facing publishers and what has been hindering the expansion of publishing markets globally are storage and shipping. “The advanced technologies at Lightning Source Sharjah have enabled us to sell books before printing them, which helps preserve resources and overcome shipping and storage challenges.”

The panel discussion was organised as part of Sharjah’s Market Focus programme at LBF 2022, which concludes today at Olympia London. The debate was attended by leading international publishers and cultural institutions.WAM/MOHD AAMIR/Lina ibrahim

Related Article: Publishing – Book Publishers in UAE