Sharjah

• Free Zone Establishment (F.Z.E.) – It is a single shareholder limited liability company setup
• Free Zone Company (F.Z.C.) – It is comparable shareholder limited liability company set up a business with the exception that it allows multiple shareholders (maximum of 5)

3. U.S.A. Regional Trade Center Click for details

The U.S.A. Regional Trade Center (USARTC) was established in the year 2011 as a part of Sharjah's objective to become a hub for foreign trade and turn it into an investment-driven economy. The USARTC offers Small and Middle-Sized Enterprises (S.M.E.s) the opportunity to improve commercially and expand their trade in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It helps S.M.E.s by assisting them in exploring and entering the market, including establishing a presence in the U.A.E. and other areas.

4. Sharjah Publishing City Click for details

Sharjah Publishing City (S.P.C.) is an exclusive free zone for printing and publishing. Sharjah Publishing City, a unique free zone is one of the most attractive targets for all the publishers and book lovers. Covering a landscape of 400,000 sq. Meters, it provides great warehousing and office space facilities for company owners.

5. Sharjah Media City Click for details

Sharjah Media City Free Zone, known fondly as Shams Sharjah Media City, was launched in January 2017 with a concept to be a world-class hub for media and creativity in the sector. Similar to other free zones, free zone Sharjah also issues licenses to companies, freelancers and entrepreneurs wanting to set up a business

The Hamriyah free zone is perfect for those foreign nationals who want to start a business that they own 100% of without paying tax. Profits and capital are reimbursed and they are exempt from all taxes There are a few different companies that can be created in Hamriyah Free Zone:

• Free Zone Establishment (FZE): Entity with 1 shareholder
• Free Zone Company (FZC): Entity with 2 to 5 shareholders
• Branch of a Foreign Company
• Branch of a Local Company

The benefits of setting up your business in Hamriyah Free Zone are as below:

• 100% foreign ownership
• Freedom of recruitment
• 100% reimbursement of capital and profits
• Warehouses and office units pre-built
• No customs duty
• Land lease for 25 years
• No restriction on currency
• Bespoke office suites
• Affordable cost of living
• Cost effective energy

License Types & Cost

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, also known as SAIF Zone, is one of the most exclusive free zones in the UAE. It is built adjacent to the Sharjah International Airport. SAIF zone provides appealing business opportunities to entrepreneurs and investors. SAIF zone is known as the symbol of efficient operations – the better alternative for business ventures in the UAE and across the world. Sharjah Free Zone is the best place to set up your business not only because of its foreign investment benefits but also because it provides access to over 2 billion consumers in the Middle Eastern and North African region. Its strategic location makes it easy and convenient for transportation and logistic purposes.

The advantages of starting your company in the SAIF zone are as below:

• No corporate or personal income tax
• Freedom of foreign ownership
• Reimbursement of funds without currency restrictions
• No import and export tax
• Strategic location close to ports and airports
• Leasing facility for up to 25 years
• No hidden charges on transfers of funds
• Business licenses issued within 24 hours
• No restriction on hiring foreign workers

What license types do you need to work in the SAIF zone and what best suits your business?

• Commercial license - this license would be for companies that import, export, distribute, consolidate, store and warehouse goods.
• Service license - this would be for companies that can provide services listed within the contract of the license.
• General trading license - alike to the commercial license, this would be for a larger scale of goods produced by the company.
• Industrial license - this would be for companies that import raw materials across nations and turn them into goods ready to sell.

Sharjah Free Zone License Cost

The USA Regional Trade Centre (USARTC) was set up in 2011 as part of Sharjah’s mission to become a base for foreign trade and boost the economy with investment. The best businesses which would thrive in this environment are consultancy businesses, import and export, distribution and logistics.

The benefits of setting up your business in the USARTC are as below:

• Minimal barrier to MENA market entrance
• No corporate tax
• Flexible services
• No import and export tax
• Support for US businesses
• No personal tax
• 100% foreign ownership
• No restrictions on currency

There are also a number of facilities offered by the USARTC as below:

• Serviced offices - these are the best type of offices for creating a presence in the area and across the region. The offices are executive and can range from 180 square feet to 480 square feet.
• Virtual offices - these are for those companies that would not need a physical base, meaning that they could manage their office from abroad.
• Meeting and conference rooms - these rooms are fitted with flat screens, fast internet, projectors and other video-conference equipment.
• Exhibitions - this is a space of 12,000 square feet that can be used to promote a business’ product.

The Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) is a free zone exclusive for publishing and printing, a haven for book lovers and publishers. It offers warehouses, office space and a landscape of 400,000 square feet.

The benefits of setting up your business in SPC are as below:

• Low cost office spaces
• Local sponsorship
• 25 year leasing contract
• 100% ownership
• Full reimbursement of profit
• Low cost of living
• Trading license provided within 24 hours

Amenities Provided at Sharjah Publishing City

SPC provides a great deal of facilities for new entrepreneurs and business ventures with which they can get a head start for their business:

1. Office Space

A minimum space of 25 sq. meter for office is available and the office rent includes office space, car parking, utility bills, and cleaning of common area. The rent varies between unfurnished and furnished office, where an unfurnished office will cost you AED 1,350 per sq. meter and a furnished office around AED 1,550 per sq. meter (annually).

2. Warehouse

SPC free zone provides cost-efficient pre-built warehouses for new businesses. The cost for warehouses in SPC is as follows:

3. Trade License

As mentioned earlier, business people can get a license within 24 hours in SPC free zone. There are two licenses which a business owner can opt for, according to their business type:

The Sharjah Media City Free Zone began in January 2017 with a mission to be the hub for media and creative businesses in the sector. This free zone is best suited to companies, freelances and entrepreneurs within the creative industries.

The licenses offered are as below:

• Service license - this is best for businesses that offer rendering services.
• Industrial license - this is best for businesses that offer production, transformation, reproduction and manufacturing.
• Trading license - this is best for businesses that offer transfer of goods, retail sale of goods and wholesale.
• Holding license - this is best for businesses that hold assets and stakes of a company.

The benefits of setting up a company in Sharjah Media City Free Zone are as below:

• 100% foreign ownership
• Limited liability companies
• 100% reimbursement of capital and profits
• No-Objection Certificate not needed for startup
• Free transfer of funds
• Cost-effective licensing with all documents issued in 2 days
• No import and export duties
• No corporate tax for up to 50 years
• Set up costs at 11,500 AED

The facilities that are offered by Sharjah Media City Free Zone are as below:

• Dedicated desk - fixed spaces that mean the enterprise only has to work in the space provided to them.
• Dedicated office - an assigned office space that can be used for individuals.
• Shared desk - a communal space for individuals in the same field.
• Shared office - more private space with the opportunity to network with others.
• Creative units - stand-alone offices, showrooms and studios that are currently under construction.