Sharjah, the third-largest emirate in the UAE, has been at the forefront of attracting foreign investment into the country with its world-class free zones. The free zones such as SAIF Zone, Hamriya Free Zone (HFZ), Shams have played a significant part in ushering in economic diversification, creating employment and luring foreign investments into the UAE. Company formation in SAIF Zone, Hamriyah, or Shams offers the entrepreneurs the benefits of 100% ownership, total repatriation of capital, excellent connectivity through sea, land, and air along with world-class office spaces. Sharjah offers investors liberal economic policies and efficient labour options at low cost. If you are brainstorming over the options to start a business in Sharjah, business setup consultants in Sharjah recommend considering the three major free zones depending on your business activity and the desired costs.
Most Recommended Free Zones Across the Emirates of Sharjah
1) Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone)
Established in 1995, the SAIF Zone has played a vital part in attracting more investors to Sharjah for company formation. The free zone is strategically built adjacent to Sharjah International Airport which is a great benefit to the investors. The free zone offers benefits of proximity to the seaports and airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. By initiating the process of business setup in the SAIF Zone, the entrepreneurs can put their business at the gateway of global trade with unmatched connectivity through land, sea, and air. For a smooth and hassle-free company registration process in SAIF Zone, the investors need to consult the best business setup consultants in UAE.
2. Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZ)
Hamriyah free zone was established in 1995 and has played a huge role in elevating the status of Sharjah as a major industrial hub. The Hamriyah free zone boasts of advantages including access to neighbouring trading countries through land, sea, and air. By setting up a business in Hamriyah free zone, you will be supported by the flexible and investor-friendly regulations of the free zone authority. By hiring reputed business setup consultants in Sharjah, the incorporation process you can complete the incorporation process within a few days’ time.
3. Sharjah Media City Free Zone (SMC)
Free Zones in Sharjah has always been known for the industrial and other hardcore businesses, but that perception altered with the launch of Shams. Shams was established as an international hub for innovative services that facilitate the setting up of media and the creative industries. Shams maintain a forward-thinking and holistic approach to the development of creative entrepreneurship in the UAE. The e-commerce license offered by Shams has gained more attraction in recent times with the surge in demand for online shopping activities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. To obtain e-commerce or any other license in Shams, consult the best business setup consultants in Sharjah, UAE.
Types of Free Zone Licenses Offered in Sharjah Free Zones
a) Commercial License
A company operating in the Sharjah free zones can conduct import, export, sale, distribution, and storage of goods allowed in the license. You need to check out the licensing guidelines of the different free zones in Sharjah to have a better grasp of what you are allowed to do with the license and other activities you can’t perform. If you are planning to sell the finished goods within the UAE market, it is mandatory for you to appoint a local distributor or agent.
b) Trading License
A trading license is required for you to sell goods within the free zones in Sharjah or import and export such goods. The trading activity includes the movement of goods, wholesale and retail sale of goods and undertaking services related to the sale of these goods.
c) Service Licence
Obtaining a service License in Sharjah free zones will enable you the business activities permitted by the respective free zones under the license. If you obtain a service license from free zones in Sharjah, you will be able to conduct the service license activities except those that are restricted by the Federal or local government authorities. Some of the popular activities you can conduct with the service license include business consultancy, e-commerce, and services related to shipping & freight forwarding.
d) Industrial License
An industrial license allows you to carry out the production, re-production, transformation, and manufacturing of goods. The activities mentioned under the industrial license include manufacturing, packaging, processing, assembling of goods, etc.
e) Holding License
You can get a holding license from Shams free zone which allows the holding of standalone assets and/or stakes in other companies. A holding license is required if you are planning to incorporate a holding company for controlling other companies, and assets including real estate, patents, trademarks, stocks, etc.
Business Setup Consultants in Sharjah
Sharjah is one of the most preferred business destinations in the UAE due to the presence of well-maintained and regulated free zones. However, new investors may encounter certain troubles due to their inadequate knowledge about the laws and regulations for company formation in Sharjah. This may lead to delays in business setup procedures and in such situations reputed business consultants in Sharjah such as Jitendra Business Consultants (JBC) comes to the rescue of the entrepreneurs. JBC boasts of a highly qualified team of business setup consultants in Sharjah who are equipped with sound knowledge in labour laws and immigration laws and assists the entrepreneurs in easily obtaining the trade license.