Sharjah Publishing City - All You Want to Know

by Zaara 18, Mar 2021

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone is the most massive first free zone development in the world, committed exclusively to providing the global publishing and printing business. The free zone offers all the services and infrastructure and a business-friendly environment so that a venture capitalist can operate their successful publishing business and contribute to the flourishing local and regional publishing ecological system to help run a lucrative publishing company.

Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) was established in 2017 by the Royal Decree of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Sharjah king.  It is presently being operated by the Sharjah Book Authority, a specific branch of the Sharjah government, which manages the umbrella of projects relating to the ruler’s ambitious objectives for the Emirates.

Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone

SPC Free zone Sharjah is the first free zone in the manufacturing and publishing sector of the world. It offers the book industries enormous opportunities by capitalizing on tax-free benefits while at the same time benefiting from becoming a wholly independent, controlled company. The firms that are in publishing have the potential to interact in an atmosphere that facilitates sustainable growth and helps to enter markets that have not been previously reached by the businesses.

How Will you Advantage from Business Setup in SPC?

  • 0% Tax
  • 100 percent Company ownership
  • 100 percent repatriation of capital
  • No currency constraints
  • Full-spectrum of business practices in the Publishing and Printing industry
  • Subsidiary licenses, start-up firms, and branches
  • Wide range of facilities-furnished, unmöbliert, offices and storage
  • A comprehensive range of commercial activities in the publishing and offsetting and POD printing market
  • A one-stop-shop for government programs, registration and licensing of companies
  • Select a central position with entry to all other emirates, countries of the Gulf Corporation and near seaports and airports
  • The Government's carefully designed and thoroughly developed environment for publishing and printing companies to survive

Free Zone in Sharjah

There are five free zones in Sharjah:

1. Hamriyah Free Zone

This free zone is one of Sharjah's cheapest choices. It is on track to become the cornerstones of economic growth in the UAE. Hamriyah Free Zone has provided investors with incentives and unique opportunities to develop an enterprise in a tax-free state.

2. Sharjah Airport International Free Zone

SAIF zone in Sharjah offers business prospects attractive to entrepreneurs and investors. The free area is regarded as symbolism for productive operations and a cheaper alternative to setting up a business in the UAE’s free zone.

3. USARTC Free Zone

USARTC Free Zone was formed in 2011 as part of Sharjah's goal of promoting Sharjah as a center for foreign business and turning it into an investment-led economy.

4. Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone

The book authority of Sharjah governs this free zone. SPC free zone for book traders acts as an ethnic center. It provides corporate groups and investors with a wide array of advantages.

5. Sharjah Media City Free zone

Sharjah Media City, or Shams, was founded in 2017 to become a world-class media and innovation center.

Types of Business Industry in SPC Free Zone

  1. Free Zone Establishment

            A solitary (individual or corporate) shareholder business

  1. Free Zone Company

             Various shareholders up to 7 (individual or corporate entity or combination of both)

  1. Local Branch

             Branch of the UAE company

  1. International Branch

            Division of a global business

Types of Business Licenses Authorized in SPC Free Zone

You need to have a valid license to start a business in Sharjah. You’ll need to define your business operation to get a valid license. Here are the charges one can get from the free zone of Sharjah.

  1. Commercial License

             Businesses that possess this license are involved in the exchange or purchase and sale of products.

  1. Trading License

             This license is granted to companies engaged in manufacturing and industrial activities.

    3.  Professional License

            This form of license is issued to service provider companies. They may be service providers,

            technicians, craftsmen, and artisans.

Facilities Provided at Sharjah Publishing City

SPC offers many facilities for new entrepreneurs and business enterprises with which they can launch their business head-on:

1. Office Services

A minimum space of 25 sq room for office is available, and office rentals include office space, car parking space, utility bills, and workroom cleaning. The rent ranges from unfurnished office to furnished office where an unfurnished office would cost you 1,350 AED per sq. meter and office furnished about AED 1,550 per square. meter (yearly).

2. Warehouse

SPC free zone offers pre-designed warehouses cost-effective for new businesses. The cost of the warehouses in SPC is as follows:

Warehouse Size Office Space Storage Space Cost Per Annum
125 sq. m 22 sq. m 103 sq. m AED 60,000
250 sq. m 60 sq. m 190 sq. m AED 110,000
400 sq. m 60 sq. m 340 sq. m AED 160,000

3.Trade License

As mentioned earlier, business people can obtain a license in the SPC free zone within 24 hours. There are two licenses for which a company owner can opt, depending on their type of business:

i) Commercial Business License

Companies involved in import/export, allocation, integration, storage, or warehousing may purchase an AED 7,500 commercial business license per year.

ii) Professional / Service License

People working in professional services can obtain professional permission at the same price for AED 7,500 per year, to comply with their profession.

Procedure to Start Your Business in Sharjah Publishing City

The steps for starting a company in SPC Free Zone are the same as every other Free Zone of the UAE. The free zone gives the publishing industry massive opportunities by capitalizing on tax-free benefits while benefiting from becoming a wholly independently owned and managed company. The SPC business has the potential to operate in an environment that reassures sustainable growth and helps to enter markets that the organizations have little access to previously. The steps are as follows

  • Choose a business activity to obtain a business license.
  • Choose a trading name that is not identical to any company establishing in Sharjah.
  • Get an initial authorization from the Sharjah Department of Economic Development.
  • Send documents to the company registration authority.
  • Apply for a business license.
  • If your application is approved and authorized, you will acquire a Registration Certificate and a Business License.

Documents Required for Business Setup in SPC

  • Application form
  • Passport copy of the owners, managers, and directors
  • Evidence of Shareholder Address
  • A copy of Visa and Emirates ID of owners, managers, and directors
  • Passport scale shareholder photo
  • Memorandum and Article of Association
  • Specimen signing of the proposed manager
  • Commission agreement and attorney's rights

Company Incorporation in Sharjah Publishing City

Sharjah Publishing City Free zone consists of approximately 100,000 sq. m. the region and comes fitted with the latest technologies to ensure a successful business for any company owner. It includes meeting spaces, wireless high-speeds, and secretarial facilities. Full-service free zone manufacturing and publishing is a resourceful forum for traders or those wishing to enter the publishing market, offering a venue for exchanging original ideas and knowledge in a wholly reinforced and integrated environment.

Our Role

Now that you have a clue of how the company formation Sharjah Publishing City free zone can be beneficial to your sector. Starting a free zone company in Sharjah would benefit you in the long term. Liberal economic policies, cosmopolitan culture, and business-friendly ecosystems are some of the benefits you can avail from businesses in Sharjah.

We at Commitbiz Management Consultant can guide you to start a free zone company in Sharjah Publishing City (SPC). Our experts are well versed in the UAE's legal formalities and can make this procedure trouble-free. Contact us today; we will help you reach your goal.