Sharjah deepens publishing infrastructure with landmark media and licensing agreements

Two memoranda of understanding signed during the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair strengthen support for publishers and streamline operational frameworks across the emirate's vibrant publishing ecosystem.

The signing of two memoranda of understanding at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair represents a significant consolidation of the emirate’s commitment to nurturing its publishing sector. H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, and H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association and Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, witnessed the agreements being executed by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority and of Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone; Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council; and Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association.

The first agreement between the Sharjah Media Council and Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone establishes a framework to streamline media licensing and permit procedures while enhancing the experience of those conducting business within the free zone. The arrangement involves coordinated issuance, renewal, cancellation and transfer of licences, alongside systematic data and report exchange. The free zone will collect the Council’s fees and remit them according to an agreed mechanism, creating administrative efficiency across both bodies.

A distinctive element of this agreement exempts companies wholly or partially owned by the Sharjah Book Authority from fees covering permits for the establishment of publishing houses, book import and distribution, and the sale of books and publications. Members of the Emirates Publishers Association licensed within the free zone receive a fifty percent discount on media permit renewal fees for the sale of books and publications, as well as for book import and distribution, whilst remaining exempt from fees for permits to circulate local publications throughout the UAE.

The second memorandum, between the Sharjah Media Council and the Emirates Publishers Association, extends comparable support structures to Association members licensed in Sharjah. The agreement was executed during the book fair, where publishers gather to engage with international peers and explore emerging trends. Licensed Association members holding media permits are exempt from fees for local publication circulation permits, and receive fifty percent discounts on permit renewal fees. The accord also commits both parties to automating these benefits through the Council’s systems, with the Association maintaining accurate membership records and organising awareness programmes and workshops for publishers.

The dual agreements reflect a coordinated approach to reducing operational costs whilst facilitating seamless services for the publishing community. By unifying procedures across institutions and eliminating duplication, the arrangements create conditions for sustainable growth within Sharjah’s publishing landscape.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

These agreements underline the collaborative governance model emerging across the UAE, where different emirate institutions work in concert to strengthen specific economic sectors. Sharjah’s investment in publishing infrastructure and its systematic approach to licensing and fee structures provide a model of institutional cooperation that benefits the wider publishing community across the federation.

The emphasis on cost reduction and procedural streamlining reflects the UAE’s broader commitment to creating business environments that encourage innovation and professional development. As Sharjah continues to consolidate its position as a regional publishing hub, the emirate’s residents and professionals benefit from enhanced access to diverse publishing initiatives and strengthened networks connecting local publishers with international counterparts.

Source: WAM