Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) is a specialised free zone in Sharjah designed specifically for the publishing, media, and creative industries. Here is who it is for and how to set up there.
What Is Sharjah Publishing City?
Sharjah Publishing City is a dedicated ecosystem for the book publishing, printing, content creation, and media industries — part of Sharjah’s identity as the “Cultural Capital of the Arab World.” SPC offers: 100% foreign ownership, no corporate or personal income tax, purpose-built publishing and printing infrastructure, proximity to Sharjah Airport (for print export), and co-working and office spaces designed for content and creative professionals. SPC is physically located in the Sharjah National Park area, with dedicated printing facilities and a growing cluster of publishing firms, literary agencies, translation services, and creative studios.
Who Should Set Up in Sharjah Publishing City?
SPC is particularly suited for: book publishers (Arabic and English language), academic and educational content companies, translation and localisation agencies, digital content platforms (ebooks, online courses, digital media), printing and graphic design companies, literary agencies and rights management firms, and newspapers, magazines, and online publications. SPC is one of the few UAE free zones where printing companies can get a UAE licence that explicitly permits operating printing presses — most general free zones restrict industrial activities.
SPC Setup Costs and Process
Licence cost: starting from AED 5,500/year for a media/publishing professional licence. Office and space: co-working desks available, dedicated publishing studio spaces, and printing facility rentals. Visa quota: 3–6 visas included in standard packages. Setup timeline: 3–5 business days for documentation processing. Contact: spc.ae for current pricing and available packages.