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Sharjah Streamlines Media Licensing and Free Zone Operational Permits

Sharjah Media Council and Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone signed an operational agreement during the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair. The partnership standardises regulatory permits and introduces full fee exemptions and discounts for eligible publishing entities. Measures include a 50 percent fee reduction on media permit renewals for Emirates Publishers Association members.

Published Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)
Issuing authority
Sharjah Media Council
Jurisdiction
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Publication date
November 5, 2026
Effective date
November 5, 2026
Stage
Final rule
Official document
Memorandum of Understanding / Operational Agreement
Official source
wam.ae
Illustration: Editorial photograph showing modern exhibition hall displays filled with neatly arranged books and professional business visitors at an
Illustration

The Sharjah Media Council and Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) have signed an operational agreement during the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The memorandum was signed by Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council, and Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SPC Free Zone. The arrangement aims to simplify media licensing regulations and unify permit procedures for commercial entities established within the free zone.

Under the agreement, businesses wholly or partially owned by the Sharjah Book Authority will receive complete fee exemptions for operational permits involving publishing, commercial sales, and book distribution.

Additionally, members of the Emirates Publishers Association who hold licenses within SPC Free Zone are granted a 50 percent discount on media permit renewal fees. They will also be exempt from the fees typically required to distribute local publications across the United Arab Emirates.

Sources

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