Starting a business in Sharjah has become more feasible with the growing number of UAE business setup hubs that offer a variety of options to choose from. Sharjah is home to 3 main Free Zones, namely, Sharjah International Airport Free Zone (SAIF Free Zone), Hamriyah Free Zone Authority and Sharjah Media City (Shams). That being said, Sharjah is now considered an ideal destination for entrepreneurs to form their companies in the UAE.
There are many reasons why foreign investors lean toward Sharjah when registering their companies in the UAE, rather than any of the other emirates. First of all, Sharjah is deemed to represent the cultural and historical side of the UAE. This opens the door for future small and medium-sized businesses to be able to compete in the market.
What options do entrepreneurs have when setting up their business in Sharjah?
Expats have two options to obtain a trading or a business license in the UAE: Mainland (DED) license or Free Zone license. A mainland license is issued by the Department of Economic Development of the respective emirate and allows practicing the business activity across the UAE. A Free Zone license, however, is issued by the Free Zone where the business is established and allows its holder to conduct the registered business within the Free Zone.
The main reason that might make foreign investors opt for a DED license is the freedom to provide the goods/services while a Free Zone business license restricts them to the borders of the Free Zone. All the same, company formation licensed by DED entails giving up the full ownership of the company.
Why Choose Sharjah Media City Free Zone?
Besides the benefits of company registration in a Free Zone, such as full ownership, 100% repatriation of profits, 0% income and corporate taxes and a wide range of activities, Shams Free Zone boasts a number of other advantages which make it stand out from the other Sharjah Free Zones.
As mentioned in a previous blog, starting your own business was impossible just a few decades back. Entrepreneurs have a variety of options to turn their business ideas into a business. A Free Zone license cost is only reasonable for aspiring business owners. Sharjah Media City (Shams) offers cost-effective options for entrepreneurs who are looking to form their company in Sharjah.
Shams Free Zone business setup doesn’t require your presence in the UAE. If you are outside the UAE but you plan on establishing a new business there, it is possible for you to come and find your company license issued within 3 days at most.
The relationship between Shams and its customers does not end with the business owners receiving their company license and documents. It goes beyond that to support the companies registered within the Free Zone by featuring them on the Free Zone’s online platforms, such as its website and social media pages. Shams also helps the startups set up with it gain more exposure through participating in huge events. Furthermore, Shams hosts active workshops on a regular basis for its customer to benefit from with running their business.
Although Shams is not limited to media activities, the Free Zone is committed to enhance and add value to the media sector in Sharjah. Therefore, Shams Media City targets individuals specialized or interested in media to help them build and improve their skills in the sector by bringing in to the UAE distinguished media experts to introduce the local media talent with new and innovative ideas and prep them with the necessary skillset.