Business Setup in Sharjah: Unlocking New Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

In recent years, the cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates, Sharjah, has made an appearance as a prominent location for business setup in the country. business setup in Sharjah from India, the largest and third-most populated emirate in the country, offers ample opportunities and benefits to investors and entrepreneurs who wish to establish their business setup in the UAE. A large number of Indian investors are showing interest in Sharjah due to its casual but lavish lifestyle, abundant business and growth opportunities, tax exemptions and income benefits, affordable costs of living, etc. 

A business license or trade license issued by the Department of Economic Development, UAE, allows international investors to start their business setup in the country. In this blog, we’ll discuss how a Company formation in Sharjah can unlock new opportunities for Indian investors and entrepreneurs. 

Benefits of Business Setup in Sharjah From India: 

1. Tax benefits: The most significant benefit that Sharjah offers to Indian investors is tax benefits. There is a 100% tax repatriation on personal and corporate income provided to foreign investors or businesses in the emirate. 

2. Ownership: Foreign businesses are provided with the benefit of claiming 100% ownership of their business setups in Sharjah. Whether you choose a mainland or free zone for your company formation in Sharjah, you’re eligible to enjoy the benefit of 100% ownership and a variety of trade license options in both cases. 

3. Location: Sharjah’s ideal location and excellent connectivity to both local and international markets make it a great destination for Indian business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs who wish to expand their business on a global scale. Sharjah is home to excellent transportation facilities because of the presence of the world’s first low-cost airline services, Air Arabia, and a multi-purpose commercial port, Port Khalid, in the region. 

4. Investor-friendly policies: The company formation in Sharjah is easier compared to other Emirates in the UAE. The government supports entrepreneurship in Sharjah through various initiatives like providing the facility of a warehouse to entrepreneurs free for up to two months, the Entrepreneurial Nation platform, and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival. Also, no restrictions on currencies, less paperwork, and access to world-class infrastructure and technology provide a great help to investors or entrepreneurs. 

5. Skilled workforce: Due to access to essential amenities like accommodation, transport, medical facilities, educational facilities, etc. at affordable prices and several great opportunities, Sharjah is home to a large population of skilled and well-educated professionals. 

Business Setup Options in Sharjah:

A business setup in Sharjah from India offers two options with their distinctive benefits.

• Free zone company formation in Sharjah: 

Sharjah offers six free zones to investors or entrepreneurs who wish to establish a business setup in the region. The free zones offer 100% ownership to foreign investors and entrepreneurs to eliminate the need for a local sponsor. However, depending on the free zones, business activity restrictions can be restricted. 

1. Sharjah Media City: Popularly known as Shams, this free zone best suits companies or entrepreneurs involved in media, entertainment, and other creative sectors. The three most prominent and popular free zones in Sharjah are:
2. Sharjah Airport International Free Zone: The SAIF zone’s strategic location to regional markets and ease of access to international markets due to the presence of prominent air and sea ports make it a suitable choice for businesses involved in aviation, logistics, etc.
3. Hamriyah Free Zone: The largest free zone in the UAE that offers support to more than 6,500 MNCs from 163 countries. It is best suited for businesses indulging in food, manufacturing, shipping, and other maritime sectors.

• Mainland company formation in Sharjah:

A business or industrial area outside the free zones that are supervised by the Department of Economic Development, UAE is the mainland.  Other than 100% ownership benefit, the mainland company formation in Sharjah offers benefits like no need for a local sponsor and fewer restrictions on business activities. Also, the government of the UAE holds responsibility for the entire process of obtaining a trade or business license for mainland LLCs. Mainland LLCs can trade without any restrictions with other businesses and the government at several locations.

The following options for mainland company formation in Sharjah are available to investors:

1. Limited Liability Companies
2. Partnership Companies 
3. Public/private shareholding companies
4. Civil companies
5. Branch offices

Steps for Mainland Company Formation in Sharjah: 

1. Decide on the type of business that you want to establish.
2. Choose an ideal location as per your business activities and needs.
3. Decide a unique trade name for your business and register it.
4. Prepare and notarize MOA.
5. Obtain all the necessary approvals from the Sharjah Department of Economic Development (SDED), municipality, ministries, and other authorized departments.
6. Rent or lease a commercial or industrial space and conclude the agreement process. 
7. Obtain approval from the Ministry of Labor to employ a workforce for your business.
8. Submit the mandatory documents and application form to apply for a trade or business license.
9. Pay the required government or license application fee. 
10. Once your license is approved, you can start operations of your business. Open a corporate bank account to secure and distinguish personal assets. 

Importance of business consultants in Sharjah: 

The series of steps involved in the process of a business setup in Sharjah from India has several complexities. For investors and entrepreneurs, these complexities on their own can be very hard to deal with. Business consultants can assist you deal with these complexities, making the entire process feasible for you. 

Business consultants in Sharjah offer assistance to investors or entrepreneurs in different steps: 

1. They help you by simplifying the legal framework, such as the company registration and the license application process. Also, they ensure compliance of your business with the standard regulations.
2. They help streamline the documentation process for investors. 
3. They help you get the necessary approvals from relevant government authorities.
4. They help you in deciding the right type of business activity for your business.
5. Three business license options – commercial, professional, and industrial are available to investors. Business consultants in Sharjah provide the proper guidance to investors to choose the right business or trade license for their businesses. 
6. They assist in the visa-obtaining process for your employees and help you choose the right location for your business by providing significant information regarding the business packages in different free zones and mainlands. 

Conclusion: 

Sharjah’s advantageous location, top-class infrastructure, excellent telecommunication networks, business-friendly environment, etc. make it an ideal destination for Indian entrepreneurs and investors to start or extend their businesses in the UAE’s robust economy. With the help of Start Any Business In Dubai can assist you in navigating the obstacles in different steps of company formation in Sharjah from India.

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