Open Your Company in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Sharjah is located only 20 minutes from Dubai. It has its own international airport. The Sharjah International Airport is home to Air Arabia, which flies to 170 cities worldwide. And if that were not enough, the Dubai International Airport is only 16 km away from Sharjah. The Dubai International Airport, for its part, is the base of operations for Emirates, which operates flights to 161 destinations in 85 countries that are located across six continents. So Sharjah is well-connected to the rest of the world.
Sharjah also has three major seaports in the form of Port Khalid, Port Hamriyah, and the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, which is the only natural deepwater port in the region. Collectively, they present a host of opportunities for international trade. It is no wonder then, that a third of all manufacturing activity takes place in Sharjah. Port Hamriyah is renowned for petrochemical exports and having dry docks that enable shipbuilding and ship repair, while Port Khalid is capable of handling all types of sea cargo.
Owing to the proximity of Sharjah to Dubai, several people live in Sharjah and commute to Dubai for work. This is aided in no small way by the lower costs of living in Sharjah. The costs of doing business are also lower in Sharjah. With a business license issued from Sharjah, you can do business anywhere in the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai. Sharjah is increasingly becoming popular as a destination for businesses in the United Arab Emirates, as it provides easy access to the commercial markets of Dubai.
How to Open a Company on the Mainland in Sharjah
To open a company on the mainland in Sharjah, you would first need to decide what kind of company it would be. It could be a Sole Establishment (this is the same as a Sole Proprietorship), a Limited Liability Company or LLC where you can have a maximum of 50 shareholders, a Private Joint Stock Company in case you plan to have more shareholders, a Public Joint Stock Company if you plan to offer shares to the public, a Branch Office owned by a company, or a Representative Office, which is also owned by a company.
An experienced business setup consultant can help you zero in on the right company structure for your business, based on your business model and future expansion plans. This is why it makes perfect sense to have one in your corner throughout the process. A business setup consultant can not only help you secure a Trade License to do business, but also assist you with additional approvals such as from the Sharjah City Municipality and the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
A business setup consultant can additionally help you find the right commercial space for your operations. For example, an office cannot be used as a warehouse; or vice-versa. A business setup consultant will also help you open a corporate bank account so that you can make and receive payments with ease. Owing to strict anti-money laundering regulations, opening a bank account in the United Arab Emirates is not as easy as it sounds. A business setup consultant can furthermore help you secure visas for your staff.