Category: Featured In

SPC Free Zone names the Sharjah Investors Services Centre (Saeed) as its strategic partner and reinforces Sharjah’s investor-friendly climate

by A Staff Reporter

Published: Mon 21 Jun 2021, 5:48 PM

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) has signed an MoU to announce Sharjah Investors Services Centre (Saeed), operating under the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), as its new strategic partner to drive the growth of the free zone, and strengthen the supportive ecosystem it offers for its investors, startups, and business owners.

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Salem Omar Salem, director of SPC Free Zone, and Mohammad Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, along with member of Saeed’s board of directors signed the MoU, in the presence of Marwan Saleh Alichla, GM of Sharjah Investors Services Center.

Under the terms of the new agreement, Saeed will enable SPC Free Zone to expand its outreach to its national and international stakeholders by lending investor services support to grow their operations across various economic sectors. Accordingly, Saeed will be instrumental in issuing and renewing commercial licenses; drafting and renewing leasing contracts; and providing best-in-class consultation through a dedicated customer service expert.

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone leverages Sharjah’s strategic location and business-friendly environment to provide integrated solutions for publishing companies, education providers and allied businesses from around the globe. Investors at SPC Free Zone receive a host of benefits including 100 per cent foreign ownership, best-in-class infrastructure, and fully equipped office spaces, amongst others, thereby enabling the entry and expansion of industry players into the Mena region.

Following the signing of the MoU, Salem Omar Salem, director of SPC Free Zone, said: “The new strategic partnership with Saeed is a strong signal of our continuing commitment to provide our investors and partners with convenient solutions that offer the best combination of value, service and support to facilitate their growth and expansion beyond the boundaries of the UAE. The specialised services that Saeed provides will be vital in enhancing the business environment at the free zone and will allow us to reach out to a wider segment of potential investors.”

He added: “The partnership also underlines our efforts in enhancing the business environment to support the ambitious aspirations of our stakeholders and aligns with the economic diversification priorities of the UAE.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mohammad Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, member of Saeed’s Board of Directors, said: “The partnership with SPC Free Zone reflects our commitment to create an appealing environment for business, and attract both domestic as well as foreign investment to enhance Sharjah’s status as a leading investment destination in the region.”

He added: “SPC Free Zone is a lucrative platform that offers great value for companies specialised in the publishing and printing industry, and this partnership offers yet another incentive for potential investors to grow their business in Sharjah.”

For his part, Marwan Saleh Alichla, director of the Sharjah Investors Services Center (Saeed), said: “The MoU with SPC Free Zone has once again proved Sharjah’s passion for innovation in offering new and improved investor-friendly services. Furthermore, as Sharjah Publishing City’s strategic partner, the Saeed centre will continue fulfilling its mission to provide our clientele at the free zone integrated business, licensing, administrative and allied services under one roof and in record time. I believe that this new strategic partnership between SPC and Saeed will play a key role in attracting more entrepreneurs and investors in the publishing and other industries from across the globe to Sharjah.”

The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone represents a modern, integrated business community and an incubator environment of enterprises, companies, and institutions of various specializations, as it opens its doors to established and support growth of business sustainability by providing a wide choice of motivational packages and facilitating official transactions, in addition to shortening time, effort and resources. In this process it reaches to customers and markets in the region and the world, because of its geographical location that provides a vital network of transportation to ports and airports, allowing to access the market globally.

SHARJAH, 20th August 2021 (WAM) — To commemorate World Entrepreneurs’ Day observed annually on 21st August, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) has announced the launch of new competitive, flexible, and comprehensive business setup packages to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit of regional and global investors and support the growth of the publishing and education sectors and allied businesses.

Targeting emerging and established entrepreneurs looking to embark on their business journey or expand within the integrated ecosystem of the SPC Free Zone, the new affordable “Summer Entrepreneur Packages” offer a broad range of inclusive and convenient business support options and can be availed until the 5th of September 2021.

The AED6,500 package allows entrepreneurs to combine any two activities – service, commercial, or e-commerce – under a one-year business license. Under Package 1, a single shareholder – with the option to upgrade available, will receive a stamped license, a Memorandum of Association (MoA) document, and a lease agreement. No visa will be granted.

Package 2 or the AED9,500 package will offer one visa, in addition to all the above benefits, and enables entrepreneurs to save up to AED5,000.

The all-inclusive AED17,500 business setup package offers entrepreneurs a one-year business license with a visa valid for 2 years. In addition to all the benefits and services offered in Packages 1 and 2, investors opting for Package 3 are also assured of Emirates ID, medical fitness tests, e-channel portal access for the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship system, and establishment card.

Related Article: Emirates ID Renewal Guide for Expats

Announcing the launch of the new business packages, Salim Omar Salim, Director of the SPC Free Zone, said, “Sharjah’s business-friendly environment is strengthening the emirate’s status as a successful business incubator and an entrepreneur-friendly destination. World Entrepreneurs’ Day is an opportune moment to highlight SPC Free Zone’s leading efforts in expanding its outreach to aspiring global entrepreneurs by offering convenient and innovative investor support solutions to facilitate their growth and expansion across various economic sectors. We are also committed to building strong partnerships with all stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and success of their projects.”

The goal of World Entrepreneurs’ Day is to create awareness for entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership throughout the world, promote a culture of creativity, and foster an entrepreneurial spirit amongst youth to enhance their ambitions.WAM/Hazem Hussein/Tariq alfaham

SHARJAH, 17th May 2022 (WAM) — Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA), reassured booksellers from 56 nations at the world’s first International Booksellers Conference in Sharjah, that they are not alone in promoting the culture of reading in their communities and reinforce people’s awareness about the importance of books.

“Publishers will support you in this mission,” she said adding that the industry will extend its full support to ensure that booksellers can continue achieving greater results.

“As the African saying goes, ‘Alone we can go faster, but together we can go further,'” the IPA President further said.

Sheikha Bodour was delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the two-day conference organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) at their headquarters on the sidelines of the ongoing 13th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF).

The platform has convened more than 385 booksellers, distributors, publishing experts and business consultants to discuss current and future trends in bookselling and look into ways to better streamline industry efforts to advance the book business ecosystem regionally and globally.

“I know booksellers have been doing an excellent job finding creative ways to engage readers and put books in their hands. Your efforts have become even more urgent now in the face of ever-changing readers’ needs and behaviours, and the increasing digital distractions in everyday life. Since the outset of the global pandemic, collaboration and solidarity emerged as the single most vital component in ensuring we remain resilient in the face of complex challenges,” Sheikha Bodour added.

Ahmed Al Ameri: All our initiatives are products of solid cultural foundations laid by Sharjah Welcoming guests and attendees, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), said, “By organising the world’s first-of-its-kind conference, we look forward to offering a platform for networking and exchange as we implement the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to support the book industry and its contributions to shaping our future.”

“At the Sharjah Book Authority, we affirm that all our programmes and initiatives are rooted in a solid cultural foundation with a reputable international standing, and these help advance the cultural movement by supporting translation, honouring creatives, and investing in the infrastructure of the publishing sector,” he added.

Exclusive platform shaping the future of the global book industry.

On the first day of the conference, attendees heard from an expert-led panel that shed light on best practices and case studies in community engagement and sales performance, delving into the role of digital channels, including websites, social media, e-newsletters and e-commerce.

A second panel session discussed stock curation and presentation and staff training in customer service, exploring strategies to optimise customers’ browsing and discovery experience to maximise sales.

The inaugural day concluded with participants touring the Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone where the SBA headquarters are located. They presented their titles, and also engaged with each other and explored new market opportunities in a series of “Matchmaking” and networking sessions.WAM/Esraa Ismail/Hazem Hussein

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone’s achievements enhance its position as a leading hub for investors in creative industries: Impressive growth in the number of new company registrations operating in creative industries

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) has announced that it witnessed an impressive growth in the number of new company registrations last year as major stakeholders in the education and publishing sectors have leveraged SPC Free Zone’s nurturing and supportive environment and advanced infrastructure to conduct business and expand operations in the region.

In a statement on Sunday, SPC Free Zone said 2,000 new companies from 106 countries, largely from the UK, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Lebanon have commenced operations in the free zone last year.

“In a testament to SPC Free Zone’s leading status as an ideal hub for publishing and knowledge industries, the number of newly registered publishing companies and allied businesses raised over the previous year. This reflects the emirate’s ongoing efforts to attract investments in diverse economic sectors, including creative industries through the free zone’s portfolio of advanced services and state-of-the-art facilities that cater to investors’ needs,” according to SPC Free Zone.

Initiatives attract investors

The launch of several initiatives to attract investors and cultural and academic entities to set base in the emirate has seen SPC Free Zone successfully strengthen its leading position as a driver of economic growth and diversification and become a haven for entrepreneurs across a spectrum of creative industries.

Covering an area of 40,000 square metres, SPC provides 600 furnished offices for publishing entrepreneurs and 6,000 square metres of space for investors planning to create their own spaces. It also houses more than 20 conference rooms, stores, service facilities and a public administration branch of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship to speed up the visa processing for investors.

Open 24/7, SPC Free Zone offers investors a wide range of benefits including 100 per cent foreign ownership for all nationalities, 100 per cent repatriation of capital, 100 per cent exemption from personal income tax, corporate tax, import and export tax, as well as access to all other services at cost-effective rates, including manpower, energy, living, printing, and logistics.

SPC Free Zone gets ISO 9001:2015

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone was awarded the Quality Management System Certificate (ISO 9001:2015) in 2021 in recognition of its excellence as a business incubator and for providing a supportive environment for investors and start-ups in the publishing and allied sectors.

In 2021, SPC Free Zone signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mashreq Bank to offer priority access to an array of financial and banking services to its investors and entrepreneurs in different market sectors.

Investment in knowledge

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), said: “Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate has emerged as a leading and pioneering city that supports investments in the creative sector and provides a world-class infrastructure for entrepreneurs. Through its initiatives and ever-expanding range of services and facilities since inception in 2014, the free zone is providing promising opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors in creative industries to scale up their businesses and thrive.”

The SBA chairman said the achievements of Sharjah in the publishing sector are paving the way for the promotion of creativity and innovation and enhancing the emirate’s position as a nurturing economic ecosystem that invests in knowledge and culture and attracts publishers and bookmakers to the emirate to set up business and expand to international markets.

A new era of development

Salim Omar Salim, director of SPC Free Zone, noted that the increasing number of investors wanting to start their business in the free zone is a testament to Sharjah’s status as a leading knowledge capital of the world and its successful efforts in creating an inclusive ecosystem for regional and international publishers.

“At the beginning of each year, we embark on a new journey in our development process to provide our investors and partners with new ideas and initiatives to keep pace with the fast-changing world and to fulfil the varied demands of our investors. It is the responsibility of SPC Free Zone to provide essential services and facilities to help our stakeholders thrive and grow at all levels,” he said.

The free zone memorandum of understanding with bank adds a new dimension to the integrated solutions offered by SPC Free Zone to its customers

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone), the first-of-its-kind hub for publishing, printing, and allied businesses in the creative industries, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mashreq Bank, to offer priority access to banking services to its investors, startups, and business owners, and further drive the growth of the free zone.

Salim Omar Salim, Director, SPC Free Zone, signed the MoU with Vikas Thapar, head of Business Banking and NEOBiz, Mashreq Bank.

Under the terms of the MoU, SPC Free Zone and Mashreq bank will collaborate to assist the free zone’s customers to open and operate bank accounts and gain easy access to an array of financial services offered by Mashreq. The bank will give preference to SPC Free Zone customers and expedite their account opening process.

“This MoU reinforces our mission to encourage and support our investors in all aspects of their journey with us. We are constantly looking at new ways of supporting our investors and partners, and joining forces with Mashreq bank testifies to our commitment to provide them with one-stop solutions that combine value and service to facilitate their growth and expansion, in the UAE and beyond,” Salim said.

Thapar said Mashreq has always been at the forefront of supporting SMEs and start-ups in the UAE.

“The partnership with SPC Free Zone reinforces our commitment to create a favorable environment for businesses to flourish and drive social and economic development in the emirate. Our digital banking proposition will enable SPC Free Zone to further support and empower entrepreneurs and SME owners to meet all their banking requirements digitally,” he said.

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.

SPC Free Zone is the fastest free zone for entrepreneurs and investors to set up a business

Budding entrepreneurs or those with innovative ideas can now easily bring their business vision to life in just 45 minutes with SPC Free Zone. New company formation with SPC Free Zone is very straightforward, as the setup process focuses on providing ease, convenience, and accessibility. It is an innovative, consumer-focused free zone that continuously strives to provide the highest quality of service, whilst identifying and providing solutions for issues that entrepreneurs and investors face during new business setups. It is constantly looking at updating its processes in order to better suit customer needs and has now simplified the process by reducing its operations time.

Business setup in the digital age

Through the integration of advanced technology in their seamless digital system, the physical presence of the new business owner is not required. The owner could be residing anywhere in the world and will still be able to remotely set up their company in the UAE. This is possible due to the incorporation of a state-of-the-art online ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) portal which the owner, as well as all shareholders, managers, and directors of the business, can access. SPC Free Zone lets the owner digitally process everything on their own, including making payments through online channels. This is hassle-free and allows the owner to allocate valuable time and resources to their new business proposition, whilst eliminating the need for lengthy paperwork, having to visit different government entities for initial setup requirements, and eradicating extended waiting times.

The power of 45 minutes

45 minutes is the time needed to set up a new company with SPC Free Zone, which is a small chunk of your day. You can spend 45 minutes in heavy traffic on the way home from your workplace – OR set up your own business in that same time frame. With Expo 2020 right around the corner, you can have your business established right in time for the consumer traffic that the Expo will draw into the UAE. There are no overly tiresome initial setup activities involved, which is why you can envision an idea and have the business come to life as early as today.

Mr. E Chalhoub is a satisfied client who successfully secured his business license in only 45 minutes after deciding to open his company. “Setting up my business with SPC Free Zone was a breeze, from start to finish. My business was set up in only 45 minutes in an exceptionally professional and precise manner. The staff is very proactive in following up and making sure that everything is done at the earliest. Hats off to the top-notch services that I have received, which have saved a lot of my time.”, he affirms.

Budding entrepreneurs or those with innovative ideas can now easily bring their business vision to life in just 45 minutes with SPC Free Zone. New company formation with SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Free Zone) is very straightforward, as the setup process focuses on providing ease, convenience, and accessibility. It is an innovative, consumer-focused free zone that continuously strives to provide the highest quality of service, whilst identifying and providing solutions for issues that entrepreneurs and investors face during new business setup. It is constantly looking at updating its processes in order to better suit customer needs and has now simplified the process by reducing its operations time.

Business setup timeline

• 45 mins – Company formation documents are issued

• Choose from more than 2000 business license activities

• Combine up to 5 different activities under one license

• Avail discounts on multi-year license options

After the new company is established, the owner will have the following advantages:

• 100% ownership of the business, without the need for a local shareholder

• 100% foreign ownership

• Ability to have a dual trade license (conduct business activities in both mainland and free zone areas)

• Easy to set up a corporate bank account

• Competitive prices on facilities such as coworking, Shell & Core, retail, and storage space

• Exemption from personal income tax

• Exemption from import and export duties

• Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship services on-site at SPC Free Zone

• No NOC required

• Well-developed infrastructure

• Ease of trade with a prime location close to Downtown Dubai, Dubai International Airport, Central Sharjah, and Sharjah International Airport

Salim Omar Salim, Director at SPC Free Zone provides insight into the operations process. “Our team works hard behind the scenes to turn an entrepreneur’s business dream into reality in just 45 minutes. The infrastructure in place minimizes operations time and allows us swift new timelines for business setup. We are the no-brainer choice when it comes to quality, competence, efficiency, flexibility, and affordability. With our wide array of facilities that can be suitably customized to your specific needs, your business can be transformed into a professional powerhouse.”

He advises new entrepreneurs, “The simple formula and fundamental mechanism for entrepreneurial success are to view time as a luxury rather than a privilege. Set a goal, visualize it, and identify timelines. Work with resources and entities that respect your time, give value to what really matters and provide unwavering, exceptional support so that YOU in turn can provide the same to your customers. At SPC Free Zone, we take pride in saying we are the fastest free zone, where more is possible.”

Save time, achieve peace of mind, and get in touch with the fastest free zone at +971 800 SPCFZ (77239) or [email protected] for additional information on timelines, services, and offers.

Visit www.spcfz.ae for more details.

SPC Free Zone offers amazing advantages to businesses planning to set up shop in UAE

The post-Covid economy

SPC Free Zone foresees an improved business climate, growth in commercial opportunities, and a surge in consumer spending during and after the upcoming Expo 2020. This is anticipated due to the change in business dynamics as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created an influx in people wanting to open their own businesses for increased financial security, amongst many other factors. Expo 2020 is right around the corner and will provide a substantial boost to the UAE’s economy, which is vital for new businesses to kickstart.

Expo 2020 is said to be the largest event to take place in the UAE to date, aiming to attract 25 million visitors from around the world. It is based around the themes of ‘Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability’. The event will offer a lucrative platform for new start-ups and SMEs to pitch their products and services to high profile investors and clients through conferences, forums, and partnerships with selected pavilions. New businesses can join the Expo 2020 supplier network and register for tender opportunities on their official website through a simple process.

The Expo will also lay out cutting-edge infrastructure. Post event, the site will be turned into ‘District 2020’ in which state-of-the-art space can be utilised by new businesses for their operations. These readily available resources will enable entry and expansion of key industry players into the region.

What does Expo 2020 mean for new businesses?

With borders opening and incentives on offer for Expo visitors, such as specialised visas, fast-track immigration lanes, and duty/tax exemptions, the UAE will witness a large influx of tourists and investors during the next few months. During this important time, new businesses can benefit from vast exposure to potential customers from different corners of the globe. This is a prime opportunity for entrepreneurs as they can attract and secure both local and international customers and investors. Dynamic and emerging new markets can be penetrated, demand can be foreseen, and the geographic reach of new businesses can be significantly widened, leading to rapid expansion.

The economic impact of Expo 2020 will last long after the 6-month event is over. Local officials have estimated that the event will contribute $33.4 billion to the country’s GDP. In this upcoming, favourable economic climate, we anticipate the sectors with the highest potential growth will be; E-commerce, IT solutions and technology, marketing and advertising, tourism and hospitality, print and packaging, and many more. To minimise risks and to align demand with supply, business setup in one of these sectors will comparatively be the wiser choice.

When and how can you set up a new business?

There is no better time than now to set up your own business, especially with a free-zone entity which will allow benefits such as:

• 100% foreign ownership

• 100% repatriation of capital and profits

• Zero tax conditions

This translates into simplicity – there is no requirement for a local partner for your new business, as well as no applicable import or duty fees. The business is yours, and so are the profits.

New company formation in the UAE is a straightforward procedure when you are in the right hands. SPC Free Zone is an expert in the field and offers new business setup with benefits including:

• Ability to have a dual license (free zone and mainland)

• License issued in one day

• Up to 10 years trade license duration option

• Over 1,500 business license activities

• Combine 5 activities from different sectors under one license

• Flexibility on number of visas

• Strategic location, easily accessible from two airports

• Immigration services on site at SPC Free Zone

Being the world’s first publishing free zone, SPC Free Zone offers a mix of convenient infrastructure facilities such as coworking, retail, storage, and commercial offices, along with a business-friendly regulatory environment. Embark on your entrepreneurial journey in this highly profitable season with SPC Free Zone and enjoy competitive packages, flexibility, and convenience.

Get in touch with the Unlimited Choices, Affordable Prices free zone at +971 800-SPCFZ (77239) or [email protected] for further information on services and offers.

Visit www.spcfz.ae for additional details.

In conversation with Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPC Free Zone

Please elaborate on SPC Free Zone’s service portfolio.

Free zones in the UAE operate in a highly competitive, liberalised and globalised environment, and what differentiates SPC is the cost, quality of service, and operational efficiency. SPC Free Zones’s dual license option gives businesses the flexibility of a free zone with several mainland advantages, and clients can choose from the multi-year license options that extend up to ten years. What’s notable is also our shared services centre, where companies can get customs and immigration clearance, reducing their operational costs to a great extent. And most importantly, we register a company the same day, without requiring the owner’s physical presence.

The future of entrepreneurship leans on innovation, sustainability and knowledge. At SPC Free Zone, we are constantly adapting the best international practices and thinking ahead to provide SMEs and larger organisations the infrastructure, network and a stable regulatory and operating environment to support them in the long term

– Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPC Free Zone

What is SPC Free Zone’s diversification strategy?

SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Free Zone) is known for its success in industries like publishing, education and other allied services, alongside E-commerce, Real Estate, Artisanal Restaurants, Tech Advancement, Legal firms, highly specialised Tax, Finance, HR, IT Consultancies, Manufacturing, and other 1,500 business activities that SPC Free Zone offers.

That is, in fact, the value proposition of SPC Free Zone – it has a huge natural advantage in terms of maritime access, proximity to big regional economies, a pleasant living and working environment, and a stable regulatory and operating environment, including easy access to supply chain and large pool of talent that makes it a no-brainer for foreign investors as well as local entrepreneurs to set up in SPC Free Zone.

A raft of initiatives such as Access Sharjah and incentive packages to boost entrepreneurial morale during Covid gained popularity. Are any similar initiatives in the offing?

We are currently offering a special business license package at Dh 6,875, with the same renewal prices. The best part of the package is that you can combine up to five business activities under one license. Next, when you set up a business at SPC Free Zone, we provide the lease agreement, a shared desk, MOA and attestation, all free of charge. We also provide clients with the option of allocating 100 visas under one trade license.

Entrepreneurship has been the cornerstone for the UAE over the past 50 years. How specialised is SPC Free Zone in meeting the needs of future entrepreneurs?

The future of entrepreneurship leans on innovation, sustainability and knowledge. At SPC Free Zone, we are constantly adapting the best international practices and thinking ahead to provide SMEs and larger organisations the infrastructure, network and a stable regulatory and operating environment to support them in the long term. We provide state-of-the-art warehousing and storage facilities with the highest fire safety and security for improved order processing and risk management.

Digital content has taken over mainstream media and is essentially how news and topics of interest are digested by audiences. How clued in is SPC Free Zone here and what is it doing in the digital space?

As I said, we are constantly upgrading our systems and processes by adopting next-generation technologies and customer-centric software where we manage our client’s documents, billing, order history, previous problems and everything else through a single touch point. We believe in offering a seamless structure to clients by helping them manage all business-related enquiries digitally and under one platform.

Sharjah has always been the cultural capital of the UAE, how do you plan to integrate SPC Free Zone in its economic growth under your leadership?

With SPC Free Zone, I aspire to create a global framework for local prosperity. We are working towards expanding our production goals and creating value for the broader economy by building a powerful ecosystem of mutual interests between local suppliers, training providers, businesses and the government. Being able to contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future – one that supports the growth of local economies and communities while simultaneously benefiting from the global market dynamics is our long-term vision.

Issuing trade licenses to providing concierge services and more from SPC Free Zone

SPC Free Zone offers the option of a dual license that will grant companies two different approvals; the first one issued by the SPC Free Zone administration, and the second by Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), which will allow companies to take advantage of investment opportunities within the free zone as well as the UAE mainland’s markets. The license types can be categorised as below:

Service License

Operating with a Service License means one will run a business without any tangible assets, focusing more on selling unique services to consumers (consultancies, project management, investment services).

Commercial

Operating with a Commercial License allows one to trade in goods and sell specific services. The goods sold can be imported and sold in the UAE, exported and sold outside the UAE, or ascertained and traded solely within the UAE. With this license, one can trade almost any type of goods.

E-commerce

An E-commerce License allows one to conduct your business in the UAE but purely online. One would have to operate via online portals that allow the buying and selling of goods and services both locally and internationally.

General Trading License

A General Trading License allows one to trade in more specific goods as well as general items. Almost all goods can be traded under this license, and they do not need to be related.

FACILITIES

Warehouse and Storage Facility

Dedicated lockable spaces are available for investors who are looking for a small or larger space for storage, or other uses with the highest standards of fire, safety and security.

Co-working Facility

Every client at SPC Free Zone will have 24/7 access to the office facilities, meeting rooms, co-working spaces and cafes located within an area of 100,000 square metres.

Office Space

The independent office space ranges from 17 square metres up to more than 1,700 square metres. Investors can choose either a furnished or unfurnished office.

Retail Space

The wide area of retail spaces provides a prime location to sell products directly to customers. There are also options to open restaurants or coffee shops to serve beverages and snacks.

Concierge

Our professional and cost-effective concierge services will help you with Emirates ID and medical assistance, visa services, opening bank accounts, document clearing, passport service, tax certificates and much more.

Tax and Accounting

SPC Free Zone offers a broad range of services that helps businesses maintain sustainable growth and prepare for long-term financial stability through the dedicated tax and accounting division. The services include VAT registration, VAT deregistration, compliance, Economic Substance Regulation (ESR), FTA approvals and more.

Explore SPC Free Zone’s services at their stall at the Sharjah International Book Fair

SPC Free Zone is the world’s first free zone for publishing. It is strategically located in the heart of Sharjah and offers a mix of infrastructure facilities such as Coworking, Retail, Storage and Commercial Offices, along with a business-friendly regulatory environment. SPC Free Zone enables the entry and expansion of industry players into the Middle Eastern and African regions. Its close proximity and ease of access to air and sea trade ports facilitates trade, import and export to your preferred countries. The option to have a dual license (mainland and free zone) allows convenient selling in the local market.

A huge advantage for publishing businesses

SPC Free Zone is the publishing powerhouse of the region. It provides publishers a one-stop platform to produce and sell locally and internationally in the creative industry to cater to a vibrant, young population. Their associations with reputable government entities and investments with private publishing organisations will provide publishers with significant ease and business expansion opportunities.

Government initiatives to support the industry

Since the emirate of Sharjah is known as a cultural capital as well as an education hub, there are government initiatives in place to support the publishing industry. Some of these include:

1. Sharjah Book Authority’s (SBA) mandate includes enhancing investment in creative industries, providing a platform for culture and knowledge exchange between people, civilisation and cultures of the world; highlighting the importance of books in today’s multimedia world, and supporting the children’s book industry. It operates in several sectors under the literacy umbrella; including publishing, printing, book translation, book festivals, and children’s literature. SPC Free Zone, being a subsidiary of SBA has a carefully crafted eco-system for the publishing industry to thrive and does this through:

2. National Media Council (NMC) supervises the implementation of media policies across the UAE. All content producing entities are mandated to acquire a permit from the council. Having the National Media Council under our roof is extremely advantageous to publishers registered with SPC Free Zone.

3. Sharjah International Literary Agency (SILA) aims to facilitate communication among publishers, authors, translators, and creatives. SILA will play a vital role in ensuring that the rights of publishers and writers alike are protected, in addition to stimulating the Arabic publishing market by promoting Arabic literary and cultural content globally.

4. Sharjah International Book Fair – the third largest book fair in the world

5. The Translation Grant Fund – provides funding to boost book translation and copywriting

6. Sharjah’s Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) – the largest of its kind in the Arab world

Partnerships for publishing businesses to thrive

SPC Free Zone has also formed partnerships with reputable entities in order to provide publishers with a one-stop platform to grow. Some of these include:

1. Ingram

Ingram and Sharjah Book Authority have established a joint venture to operate a Lightning Source print on demand (POD) facility at SPC Free Zone, allowing publishers to reach readers worldwide more efficiently. Lightning Source can eliminate challenges associated with consumer demand, affordable distribution, and print runs, support publishers by making their titles available regionally and globally and facilitate book production and supply more swiftly.

2. EPA UAE

Emirates Publisher Association (EPA) is a non-profit organisation that works to develop the UAE’s publishing industry. Being a member of EPA will provide benefits such as significant exposure of book titles in the local and international market, and help publishers connect with some of the largest names in the industry. EPA membership requirements mandate that the company should be owned by an Emirati national holding not less than 51% of its shares. However, a publisher licensed with SPC Free Zone is able to register as a member, regardless of the business owner’s nationality.

Join SPC Free Zone in creating a new world of infinite publishing opportunities. Operate your company at the heart of the publishing industry and benefit from the strategic location, modern facilities, business-friendly and relaxed regulations, and supportive authorities with decades of experience in promoting culture and literacy.

Visit the SPC Free Zone booth at the entrance of halls 5 and 6 at Sharjah International Book Fair from 3 to 13 November. Get in touch with us at 800-SPCFZ (77239) or [email protected] for further information on services and offers.

Visit www.spcfz.ae for additional details.