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What Can Sharjah Mainland Licence Get You?
Direct UAE market access
Sell directly to local UAE customers without a distributor.
Trade across two coasts
Sharjah offers port access on both the Arabian Gulf & Gulf of Oman.
Tap into Sharjah’s industrial base
Utilise infrastructure across 19+ industrial areas and Al Sajaa.
Own 100% of your business
Own your mainland business, without a local partner.
Multiple business models
Move between commercial, professional & industrial licence.
Build a physical business
Establish offices, shops, warehouses and factories.
7 Days Licence setup timeline
20K+ Indian companies registered
100+ Digital government services
90K+ Trade certificates issued
7 Days Licence setup timeline
20K+ Indian companies registered
100+ Digital government services
90K+ Trade certificates issued
Mainland or Free Zone? Choose Where You Need to Operate.
Full access
Sharjah Mainland From AED 18,000 per year Full access
Sharjah Mainland is particularly relevant for businesses that need to be close to trade and industry.Its commercial and industrial clusters support everything from distribution and wholesale to manufacturing and production.
Your customers are primarily in the UAE.
Your business needs a physical retail, office, warehouse or workshop.
You import, distribute, trade or manufacture products.
You want to build around Sharjah's industrial and commercial clusters.
Most popular
Sharjah Free Zone From AED 5,750 per year Most popular
Your activity benefits from a specialised free-zone setup.
You don't need a customer-facing mainland presence.
Why choose myHQ by ANAROCK?
2000+
Companies Registered
95%+
Approval Rate
0%
Service Fee
1 Hour
Response Time
India x UAE
Approval Support
Backed by ANAROCK - India's Largest Real Estate Company
Set Up Your Sharjah Mainland Company in 8 Steps
Start here
1
Day 1Choose Your Activity & Legal Structure
Select your business activity, license type and legal structure. We validate and manage approvals.
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2
Day 1-2Reserve Your Trade Name
Share your preferred company names and reserve an available name through SEDD.
You approve
3
Day 2-4Apply for Initial Approval
Submit your initial application and supporting documents to SEDD for approval of your proposed activity and business structure.
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4
Day 3-5Prepare Documents & MoA
We prepare your documents and MoA including notarization and apostille (if needed).
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5
Day 4-7Secure Your Premises
Arrange the office, shop, warehouse, workshop or other premises required for your activity and complete the applicable tenancy documentation.
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6
Day 5-10Obtain Your SEDD Licence
Submit your final documents, tenancy details and any activity-specific approvals through SEDD to receive your Sharjah Mainland trade licence.
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7
Week 2Establish Your Company & Immigration File
Set up the establishment and immigration-related registrations required for your business, then proceed with investor or employee visa applications.
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8
Week 2-4Visa, Emirates ID & Banking
Coordinate investor or employee visas, Emirates ID biometrics and your corporate banking introduction.
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Your business is operational
You have residency
Week 4Your business is liveTrade legally from UAELicense issuedBank account ready
Start here
1
Day 1 Choose Your Activity & Legal Structure
myHQ handles
2
Day 1-2 Reserve Your Trade Name
You approve
3
Day 2-4 Apply for Initial Approval
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4
Day 3-5 Prepare Documents & MoA
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5
Day 4-7 Secure Your Premises
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6
Day 5-10 Obtain Your SEDD Licence
myHQ handles Your business is operational
7
Week 2 Establish Your Company & Immigration File
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8
Week 2-4 Visa, Emirates ID & Banking
myHQ handles You have residency
Week 4Your business is live
Trade legally from UAELicense issuedBank account ready
Document checklist & what you get
You provide
Passport copies of all shareholders / directors
Passport size photographs in white background
Trade name reservation certificate
Initial approval certificate
Additional activity-specific approvals, where applicable
We take care of
Expert advisory on setup structure
We track and manage all approvals
You provide
Memorandum of Association
Shareholders Agreement
Board Resolution
Certificate of Incorporation
We take care of
Smooth digital document collation and submission
We handle document apostille
Digital document handover
For Indian founders, all the above documents must be notarised and apostilled before submission.
You provide
Signed & registered tenancy contract
Municipality or location-specific approvals, where required
Additional approvals for industrial, food, healthcare, education and other regulated activities, where applicable
We take care of
Expert assistance in office selection
You provide
Trade license copy
Establishment card copy
Entry permit application
Medical fitness test results
Biometrics appointment letter
We take care of
End-to-end process support
We track and manage all approvals
Available as add-ons:
Physical Office
Document Attestation
Bank Account Opening
VAT & Corporate Tax
Most Popular Business Activities in Sharjah Mainland
Import, export, and distribute a wide range of permitted products.Best forImporters · Exporters · Distributors · Wholesalers · Sourcing BusinessesWhy mainland?Ideal for business selling products via local distribution.
Supply products to retailers, businesses and distributors.Best forFMCG Distributors · Electronics · Building Materials · Consumer Products · B2B SuppliersWhy mainland?A strong fit for local warehousing, distribution and direct B2B sales.
Establish shops, showrooms and other customer-facing businesses.Best forRetailers · Showrooms · Fashion Brands · Electronics · Specialty StoresWhy mainland?Enables businesses for physical UAE operations and direct local sales.
Set up production capabilities in Sharjah’s industrial clusters.Best forManufacturers · Product Companies · Processors · Industrial SuppliersWhy mainland?Sharjah has one of the UAE’s largest industrial ecosystems.
Take on construction, contracting, MEP and fit-out projects.Best forContractors · MEP Companies · Fit-out Firms · Engineering Businesses · Building ServicesWhy mainland?Needed for on-ground operating presence and project sites.
Provide consulting, marketing, technology and accounting services.Best forConsultants · IT Companies · Marketing Agencies · Accounting Firms · Professional ServicesWhy mainland?A practical structure when your revenue comes from UAE businesses.
Not sure which activity fits?
An expert picks it for you in one call. Free, and you're not signing anything.
UAE Investor & Employment VisasGet residency for you and your team
How it helps?Live and work in the UAE, freely
Apostille & Document AttestationPrepare Indian documents for UAE use
How it helps?Get documents accepted without the hassle
Annual Licence RenewalKeep your licence active in few clicks
How it helps?Company stays compliant & active without interruptions
UAE Business Bank AccountOpen and activate your UAE account
How it helps?Receive, pay and manage finances globally
Licence & Activity AmendmentsAdapt as your business grows
How it helps?Add activities, change structure or expand visas
Virtual Office & Mailing AddressEstablish a professional UAE presence
How it helps?Have a UAE address without a physical office
Make the right decision for your Sharjah setup
Get expert guidance choosing the best option as per your requirements
What does a mainland licence cost?
Select your preferences
SEDD Licence*
Office requirement
Visas
0 AED 2,000-5,000 each (Covers the entry permit, medical fitness test, biometrics and Emirates ID)
Other charges (Select if applicable)
Your UAE Business Setup Blueprint
A practical guide covering jurisdictions, licences, costs, visas and the key decisions you need to make before incorporating.
2,000+ happy clients. One trusted partner ⭐
We had a trade name conflict with an existing DET business. myHQ suggested three alternatives the same day and we were approved within 48 hours. The process I thought would take weeks took 3 days.
PS
Priya Singh
Founder of Management Consulting Firm
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a local Emirati partner for a Sharjah mainland company?
No, not for shareholding. Since Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 (effective June 2021), most commercial and industrial activities licensed by SEDD permit 100% foreign ownership with no Emirati shareholder required. A narrow list of "strategic impact" activities — defense, security, and a few others — still require Emirati participation, and civil (professional) company structures still require a local service agent, who holds no equity or profit share.
How much does a Sharjah mainland license cost?
A commercial or professional SEDD license typically starts around AED 18,000 including the license fee, establishment card, and a basic flexi-office arrangement. Industrial licenses requiring larger premises or multi-activity commercial licenses can run AED 35,000–65,000, depending on activity complexity and office size.
What's the difference between Sharjah mainland and Sharjah free zone?
A Sharjah mainland company, licensed through SEDD, can trade directly with any customer inside the UAE and is eligible for government tenders, but requires a physical office and carries a higher license cost. A Sharjah free zone company is cheaper and often requires only a flexi-desk, but generally needs a local distributor to sell directly into the UAE mainland market.
How long does it take to register a mainland company in Sharjah?
Most SEDD mainland registrations complete in 7–10 working days from trade name reservation to license issuance, assuming documents are in order and the entity type doesn't require additional approvals. Establishment card and first visa processing typically add another 1–2 weeks on top of the license timeline.
Can Indian founders set up a Sharjah mainland company without visiting the UAE?
Most of the application process can be handled remotely through a Power of Attorney, but board resolutions and any POA issued from India must be apostilled — not just notarised — before submission. Some steps, particularly final signatures on the Memorandum of Association or in-person bank KYC, may still require a visit or a UAE-based representative depending on the bank and activity.
What business activities are restricted on a Sharjah mainland license?
Very few activities are restricted outright — the SEDD mainland license covers a broader activity list than most free zones. The main constraints are the strategic-impact activities requiring Emirati participation (defense, security, certain financial services) and Sharjah's alcohol-free status, which affects licensing for bars and any F&B business planning to serve alcohol.
Can a Sharjah mainland company bid on UAE government contracts?
Yes. Mainland companies, unlike most free zone entities, are eligible to register as vendors and bid on both Sharjah emirate-level and UAE federal government tenders, which is one of the primary reasons trading and contracting businesses choose mainland over free zone structures.
Is a Sharjah mainland company legal for Indian tax residents to own?
Yes, subject to standard FEMA disclosure under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme and RBI reporting requirements for overseas direct investment. myHQ includes FEMA flag guidance and RBI notification support as a standard part of every Sharjah mainland engagement, not as a paid add-on.
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Business Setup in Sharjah Mainland: Complete Guide (2026)
A Sharjah mainland license, issued by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), is the structure that lets a company trade directly with any customer inside the UAE, not just with international clients or through a free zone’s restricted activity list.
Sharjah mainland sits in a specific competitive position among UAE mainland options. It costs meaningfully less than Dubai mainland licensing while carrying the same underlying legal rights: full UAE market access, government tender eligibility and unrestricted activity scope. It also sits inside an emirate with a genuinely different economic base from Dubai’s trade-and-tourism model, built substantially around manufacturing, construction materials and industrial production, alongside general trading and professional services.
Business setup in Sharjah mainland typically appeals to three founder types:
Businesses that need to invoice UAE-based clients directly and can’t do that cleanly through a free zone licence
Manufacturing and industrial operators drawn to Sharjah’s established industrial areas and lower commercial rents relative to Dubai
Founders who specifically want government tender eligibility, which most free zone entities don’t carry
None of these use cases are well served by a free zone licence, which is why the mainland structure, despite costing more upfront than Sharjah’s own free zones, remains the right choice for a meaningful share of Sharjah-based businesses. It sits within the wider picture of company formation in Sharjah, alongside the Sharjah free zone route.
What is SEDD? Sharjah Economic Development Department Explained
SEDD (Sharjah Economic Development Department) is the emirate-level authority responsible for commercial registration and licensing across Sharjah. Founders and official documentation refer to it interchangeably as SEDD Sharjah, the Sharjah economic department, or Sharjah DED, the last carried over from the older Department of Economic Development naming. All refer to the same body.
SEDD is functionally equivalent to Dubai’s DET (Dubai Economy and Tourism) or Abu Dhabi’s ADDED, but it operates under its own fee schedule, forms and processing timelines. It covers commercial, professional, industrial, tourism and agricultural licence categories, and a SEDD licence permits the company to trade with any customer physically located inside the UAE, a right free zone entities do not automatically carry. Every company formed in Sharjah outside a free zone registers through SEDD.
What is a Mainland Company in Sharjah?
A mainland company in Sharjah is a business entity licensed by SEDD rather than by a free zone authority. What a Sharjah mainland company set up involves has shifted substantially since June 2021: before Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 took effect, mainland companies required a UAE national to hold at least 51% of shares. SEDD now approves 100% foreign-owned mainland companies as the default for the large majority of commercial and industrial activities, so a foreign founder setting up a trading, manufacturing, contracting or consulting business holds full equity and full control. Professional (civil company) structures still require a local service agent, who holds no shares, no profit entitlement and no management authority.
Who Should Set Up a Mainland Company in Sharjah?
Sharjah mainland company formation suits businesses whose commercial model depends on direct UAE market access rather than international invoicing.
General trading and import/export businesses that need to sell to UAE-based distributors, retailers or end customers choose mainland because free zone entities generally require a local distributor to reach the same customers, an extra layer of cost and complexity mainland avoids entirely.
Manufacturing and industrial businesses are a particularly strong fit, given the emirate’s established industrial areas and its position as one of the UAE’s primary manufacturing hubs for cement, steel, construction materials and furniture production. These are sectors where Sharjah’s mainland economy has decades of infrastructure and supplier relationships, and where an industrial licence combines direct local sales, tender eligibility for construction-linked public projects and access to an existing industrial workforce.
Contracting and construction-adjacent businesses also lean mainland, both for government tender eligibility and because construction activity is generally licensed as a mainland category rather than a free zone one.
Consulting and professional services founders choose Sharjah mainland when their client base includes UAE government entities or mainland companies that require a mainland-licensed vendor for procurement or compliance reasons, a common requirement in engineering, technical consulting and B2B professional services.
SEDD License Categories and Permitted Business Activities
A Sharjah business licence from SEDD falls into one of five primary categories:
Commercial licence: general trading, import/export, wholesale and retail distribution. The broadest and most commonly issued category
Professional licence: consulting, engineering, legal, medical and other skill-based practices, typically structured as civil companies rather than LLCs
Industrial licence: manufacturing, processing and production activity, usually paired with premises in one of Sharjah’s dedicated industrial areas rather than a standard commercial office
Tourism licence: hotels, travel agencies and tour operators, subject to Sharjah’s alcohol-free regulatory environment
Agricultural licence: a smaller category covering farming, livestock and agri-processing activity
Within these categories, SEDD generally permits broader activity bundling on a single trade licence than most free zones allow, a genuine mainland advantage for businesses whose operations span more than one narrowly defined activity code.
Legal Entity Types for Sharjah Mainland Companies
LLC company formation in Sharjah is the most common route for trading and industrial businesses, but SEDD recognises five structures in total.
Entity Type
Best For
Key Feature
LLC (Limited Liability Company)
Trading and industrial businesses
Offers limited liability protection and, since the 2021 reform, 100% foreign ownership for most activities
Civil Company
Licensed professional practices: consulting, engineering, legal, medical
Requires a local service agent who holds no equity but handles specific administrative liaison functions
Branch of a Foreign Company
Established foreign businesses expanding into Sharjah
Operates as a direct extension of the parent company without creating a separate legal entity, though the parent remains liable for the branch’s obligations
Representative Office
Market entry and liaison work
Permits marketing, liaison and market research activity only. Cannot conduct direct commercial transactions or generate local revenue
Sole Establishment
Lower-risk, smaller-scale ventures
The simplest structure, owned by a single individual who bears unlimited personal liability
How to Register a Mainland Company in Sharjah: Step by Step
Step 1: Trade Name Reservation
SEDD requires at least three name options to reduce the risk of rejection due to duplication or naming convention violations. This step typically clears within a day.
Step 2: Initial Approval Application
With the trade name reserved, the initial approval application is submitted specifying the chosen business activity and legal entity type. This confirms in principle that SEDD will permit the proposed business before deeper documentation work begins.
Step 3: Memorandum of Association (MoA) Drafting and Notarisation
For LLC and civil company structures, the MoA is drafted to reflect shareholding, activity scope and management structure, then notarised at a UAE notary public. For Indian founders using a Power of Attorney or submitting board resolutions from India, these documents must be apostilled, not merely notarised, before this step, a requirement first-time applicants frequently discover too late.
Step 4: Office Lease (Ejari) Registration
SEDD requires a registered office lease before issuing the final licence. A common and costly mistake is signing and paying for office space before initial approval is confirmed. If the activity or entity type changes mid-process, founders can end up locked into a lease for a structure they no longer need.
Step 5: SEDD Final Approval and Licence Issuance
With the notarised MoA and registered Ejari lease in place, SEDD reviews the complete file and, on approval, issues the trade licence.
Step 6: Establishment Card and Visa Processing
With the trade licence active, the company applies for an establishment card, which then enables investor and employee visa applications, including medical testing and Emirates ID issuance.
Sharjah Mainland License Cost Breakdown (2026)
Sharjah mainland license cost varies by activity category and entity type, but the core components are consistent across most applications.
Cost Component
Amount (AED)
Base SEDD licence fee
8,000–14,000/year, activity-dependent
Establishment card
1,000–1,500
Initial approval
500–1,000
MoA drafting and notarisation
1,500–3,000, depending on entity complexity
Apostille (Indian founders)
Budget separately, varies by document count
Commercial or professional licence, flexi-office, all-in Year 1
12,500–14,000
Industrial licence or multi-activity commercial licence
18,000–25,000
Annual renewal
Close to the initial licence fee, plus establishment card and Ejari renewal
A straightforward commercial or professional licence with a basic flexi-office arrangement typically totals around AED 12,500 to 14,000 all-in for the first year, including government fees and a professional service fee. Industrial licences requiring larger premises, or multi-activity commercial licences covering several business lines, typically run AED 18,000 to 25,000.
Sharjah Mainland vs Free Zone: Which One Fits
The core decision comes down to market access versus cost. Mainland companies can invoice any UAE-based customer directly and are eligible for government tenders. Free zone companies generally require a local distributor to reach UAE mainland customers and are excluded from most government procurement.
Mainland licensing costs more upfront, typically AED 12,500+ against an entry tier that can start below AED 6,000 across Sharjah’s free zones, but that premium buys market access a free zone structure doesn’t carry. For businesses whose clients are entirely outside the UAE, a free zone is usually the more rational choice on cost alone. For businesses whose revenue depends on UAE-based customers, government contracts or multi-emirate branch expansion, mainland is the only structure that delivers that access without an intermediary.
UAE Visa Options Through a Sharjah Mainland Company
A Sharjah mainland company enables the standard suite of UAE visa categories, with visa quota tied to approved office size rather than a fixed package tier, a structural advantage over most free zone visa allocations.
Investor visa: available to shareholders, typically valid for 2 to 3 years and renewable alongside the trade licence
Employee visa: scales with the company’s approved office space, allowing headcount growth without upgrading a package
Dependent visa: lets visa holders sponsor spouses, children and in some cases parents, subject to standard UAE income and accommodation thresholds
Golden Visa: applies to qualifying investors and business owners meeting the relevant capital or property investment thresholds, independent of whether the company is mainland or free zone
Corporate Bank Account Opening for Sharjah Mainland Companies
UAE banks generally treat mainland companies with an established trading history as a somewhat lower Know Your Customer (KYC) risk than newly formed free zone or offshore entities, since a physical office, Ejari registration and local transaction history all provide verifiable substance. New mainland companies without an operating history still face standard KYC scrutiny, so a clear business plan, verifiable shareholder documents and a coherent explanation of expected transaction volume all materially improve approval odds. For Indian founders, banks typically request additional source-of-funds documentation and may require a video KYC call or in-person visit. myHQ pre-screens each business profile against known bank preferences before introduction.
UAE Corporate Tax and VAT for Sharjah Mainland Entities
UAE federal corporate tax, introduced in 2023, applies a 9% rate on taxable profit exceeding AED 375,000, with profit below that threshold taxed at 0%. Unlike free zone entities, Sharjah mainland companies do not have access to the Qualifying Free Zone Person exemption regardless of activity or substance.
Value Added Tax (VAT) registration is mandatory for any UAE entity with taxable supplies exceeding AED 375,000 annually, and voluntary above AED 187,500. Because mainland companies trade within the UAE local market, most cross the VAT threshold faster than an internationally focused free zone entity and should plan for registration from the start.
Registering a Company in Sharjah from India: What Indian Founders Must File
Indian founders setting up a Sharjah mainland company should plan around two document requirements that differ from a straightforward free zone registration: apostille, not just notarisation, on board resolutions and any Power of Attorney issued from India; and the fact that some steps, particularly final MoA signatures or certain bank KYC requirements, may still require a personal visit or a properly authorised UAE-based representative, even though most of the application can proceed remotely.
The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) governs how Indian residents may hold and fund a foreign company, including a Sharjah mainland entity, primarily through the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, which currently permits remittance up to USD 250,000 per financial year for permitted transactions including equity investment abroad. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reporting for overseas direct investment applies alongside this, and myHQ builds FEMA disclosure guidance and RBI notification support into every Sharjah mainland engagement.
The India-UAE Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) governs how dividends, royalties and business profits flowing between an Indian tax resident and the Sharjah entity are treated, preventing the same income from being taxed twice.
Ongoing Compliance and Annual Requirements
SEDD mainland licences require annual renewal on the anniversary of issuance, alongside Ejari lease renewal and establishment card renewal, each carrying its own modest recurring fee. Missing the renewal deadline can result in fines and, in extended cases, licence suspension. Other standing obligations:
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) filing, a federal requirement disclosing the individuals who ultimately own or control the company above a specified threshold
Bookkeeping obligations, which apply to all UAE mainland entities
Audit requirements, which increasingly intersect with corporate tax filing obligations tied to revenue thresholds
Why myHQ for Sharjah Mainland Company Setup
myHQ is backed by ANAROCK Group and has helped set up companies across India and the UAE, with direct operational familiarity with SEDD’s forms, processing patterns and common rejection triggers. Sharjah mainland engagements run through an in-house PRO team rather than a subcontracted third-party PRO firm, so SEDD submissions are handled directly, with a real escalation path when a file needs attention.
Every Sharjah mainland quote is itemised on Day 1, with SEDD licence fees, establishment card, MoA notarisation and Ejari costs shown as separate line items. For Indian founders, apostille coordination and FEMA and RBI guidance are included as standard, and support continues past registration through annual renewals, banking introductions, VAT and corporate tax registration and visa processing.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sharjah Mainland Company Setup
How is business setup in Sharjah mainland different from Dubai mainland?
The core legal rights are the same, including 100% foreign ownership for most activities, full UAE market access and government tender eligibility. But Sharjah mainland licensing runs through SEDD rather than Dubai’s DET, and typically costs meaningfully less than a comparable Dubai mainland licence, particularly for industrial and manufacturing activities given Sharjah’s lower commercial rent base.
Can I open a restaurant or bar under a Sharjah mainland license?
A restaurant or cafeteria not serving alcohol can be licensed normally under a commercial or tourism licence. Sharjah is an alcohol-free emirate, so any business model dependent on serving alcohol is not viable under a Sharjah mainland licence and would need to be structured in a different emirate.
What is the minimum office size required for a Sharjah mainland license?
Requirements vary by activity. Commercial and professional licences typically accept a smaller flexi-office or standard office arrangement, while industrial licences require larger premises appropriate to the manufacturing or processing activity, usually in one of Sharjah’s dedicated industrial areas.
Can a Sharjah mainland company have branches in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Yes. A Sharjah mainland licence permits branch registration in other emirates, giving the company a single legal entity with a physical presence across multiple emirates, a flexibility free zone entities, which are generally tied to their specific zone’s jurisdiction, do not carry in the same way.
Full access
Sharjah Mainland From AED 18,000 per year 
Sharjah Mainland is particularly relevant for businesses that need to be close to trade and industry.Its commercial and industrial clusters support everything from distribution and wholesale to manufacturing and production.
Most popular
Sharjah Free Zone From AED 5,750 per year 
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