Sharjah is accelerating its industrial growth ambitions with the launch of a new AED 1,000 instant industrial license initiative, designed to attract investors, simplify business setup, and strengthen the emirate’s position as a leading manufacturing hub.

The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), in collaboration with its subsidiary, the Sharjah Foundation for Supporting Entrepreneurship (RUWAD), announced the initiative during its participation in the latest edition of the Make it in the Emirates Forum. The move aligns with Sharjah’s broader strategy to support the industrial sector, enhance the investment ecosystem, and create new pathways for entrepreneurs to tap into the UAE’s expanding manufacturing opportunities.

Hamad Ali Abdulla Al Mahmoud, Chairman of SEDD and Member of the Executive Council, said Sharjah’s presence at the forum reflects its continued commitment to industrial development and fostering an environment that enables business growth.

He described the forum as a critical national platform that brings together investors, entrepreneurs, and decision makers to unlock manufacturing and investment opportunities across the country.

As part of its participation, SEDD is offering investors and entrepreneurs access to an instant industrial license priced at AED 1,000, covering all approved industrial activities within the emirate. The initiative aims to lower entry barriers, streamline licensing procedures, and accelerate the launch of new industrial ventures.

Al Mahmoud added that the program supports the UAE’s ambitions to build a diversified, knowledge-based economy while reinforcing Sharjah’s position as a competitive destination for industrial projects.

Beyond licensing, SEDD is also seeking to establish direct partnerships with global manufacturers and international firms attending the forum, with the goal of facilitating technology transfer, enabling knowledge exchange, and improving quality across local industries. This approach is expected to strengthen products carrying the “Made in Sharjah” label and boost their competitiveness in international markets.

The initiative forms part of Sharjah’s broader economic development agenda, which prioritizes simplifying the investor journey, from obtaining licenses to exporting finished products, while building a resilient and diversified industrial base.

RUWAD will also use the forum to highlight financing solutions, advisory services, and development programs designed to support entrepreneurial and industrial ventures, further reinforcing Sharjah’s support framework for SMEs and national projects.

As regional competition intensifies around manufacturing and industrial innovation, Sharjah’s latest move signals a clear push to build a more agile, investor-friendly industrial ecosystem capable of driving long-term economic sustainability.