The UAE attracts investors from all over the world for many reasons. There is its highly strategic location at the centre of Europe, Asia and Africa, its attractive tax regime, and its much acknowledged ease of doing business.
Then there are the nation’s free zones which bring added advantages such as 100% customs tax exemption and full repatriation benefits for capital and profits. Each individual free zone also offers its own range of benefits, too.
This article looks at the advantages of setting up in SPC Free Zone – a 24/7 business hub in the heart of Sharjah. We’ll cover:
- What is SPC Free Zone?
- Cost of starting a business in SPC Free Zone
- SPC Free Zone Review
- Activities in SPC Free Zone
- Why choose Set Hub?
What is SPC Free Zone?
One of the UAE’s newest free zones, SPC Free Zone is centrally located in the emirate of Sharjah. Just one hour from Dubai, it has incredible links with the surrounding region and the rest of the world.
Sharjah is the third most populated emirate in the UAE and recognised as the country’s cultural capital and industrial hub. With ports on both the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, it is an incredibly popular destination for trading businesses. It is also served by Sharjah International Airport with direct links throughout the Middle East and beyond to Asia, Europe and Africa.
SPC Free Zone prides itself on its super-fast business setup service and its open environment that welcomes businesses from over 1,500 activities. It offers four main license types:
E-Commerce: Permits holders to sell goods and services internationally via online portals and marketplaces.
Service: For entrepreneurs and businesses that do not hold tangible assets, instead selling services such as consultancy or project management.
Commercial: Allows the holder to trade in goods and some commercial services. Goods can be imported and sold in the UAE or exported and sold internationally.
General Trading: Also allows trading of goods within the UAE and internationally. This license allows for the trading of multiple, unrelated goods.
Cost of starting a business in SPC Free Zone
SPC Free Zone offers multiple license packages, designed to match most budgets and requirements.
Licenses inclusive of coworking facilities start between AED 5,000 and AED 6,000 without a visa and AED 9,000 and AED 10,000 with one visa. Entrepreneurs can benefit from significant discounts when paying upfront for a multi-year license. This is -15% on a two-year license and -40% on a ten-year license.
For businesses and entrepreneurs that need dedicated office space, license packages range from AED 6,000 to AED 10,000 depending on visa requirements. Unfurnished offices then start from AED 16,660 with furnished offices ranging between AED 18,7000 and AED 33,000.
SPC Free Zone also offers a range of larger premises. Retail shell and core spaces range from AED 25,440 to AED 396,000, while warehousing starts at AED 11,250 and ranges up to AED 33,600.
SPC Free Zone review
SPC Free Zone offers highly competitive license packages with flexibility on number of visas and up to ten-year validity. As well as welcoming over 1,500 business activities it also offers dual licenses, permitting companies to trade in both the UAE mainland and the free zone.
Whether you opt for a service, ecommerce, commercial or general trading license, you will benefit from 100% foreign ownership, zero paid-up share capital, easy corporate bank account opening and access to the free zone’s facilities 24/7.
On top of fast and simple company formation, SPC Free Zone offers many hassle-free concierge services, tailored to the needs of its businesses. Services range from assistance with visas and bank account opening to customs codes, P.O. Box applications and plenty more.
Follow the simple process below and you’ll be up and running before you know it – with on-site immigration services and company documents issued within a day.
- Submit your trade license application and company documents
- Receive your e-channel and immigration card
- Receive entry permit and complete visa medical test and Emirates ID application
- Visa stamped and process complete
Activities in SPC Free Zone
Whatever your industry, you’re likely to find a welcoming home at SPC Free Zone, where permitted activities span everything from consulting and retail to publishing, wholesale and all manner of services.
SPC Free Zone also offers you the flexibility to combine activities across multiple industries into one license. Up to five activities are allowed under a single license at no additional cost.
With so many activities permitted at SPC Free Zone, it is impossible to list them all here. Below is a selection of the range of options on offer:
- Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks
- Courier activities
- Educational support activities
- Food and beverage service activities
- Manufacture of basic precious and other non-ferrous metals
- Manufacture of jewellery, bijouterie and related articles
- Motion picture, video and television programme activities
- Passenger land transport activities
- Personal service activities
- Publishing of books, periodicals and other publishing activities
- Repair of transport equipment, except motor vehicles
- Restaurants and mobile food service activities
- Retail sale of books, newspapers and stationery in specialised stores
- Retail trade not in stores, stalls or markets
- Software publishing
- Sound recording and music publishing activities
- Support activities for transportation
- Transport via pipeline
- Warehousing and storage
- Wholesale of food and beverages
Why choose Set Hub?
Set Hub is the perfect partner for all things relating to business setup in Sharjah and company formation in the UAE. In SPC Free Zone and beyond, we offer everything you need to launch, operate and grow your enterprise here in the UAE.
At Set Hub, we pride ourselves on giving new businesses the best possible start, that’s why we take the time to get to know you, your requirements and your goals before we advise on the most suitable solution.
We are a highly dedicated team of company formation experts. We’re passionate about what we do, and we can help you bring your dreams of business ownership to life – today.
As well as assisting with trade license applications and company administration, we can also help you find and access banking services, guide you through the UAE visa and relocation process, and support you throughout the life of your business with our wide range of concierge services.
Ready to get started? Get in touch with our expert team today on 800 SETHUB (738482), email [email protected], or pop in and visit us.
