Sharjah Economic Development Department “SEDD” revealed that the first quarter of 2022 witnesses a remarkable growth in the number of issued and renewed licenses. Therefore, the total number of licenses reached 17,059 ones, with a growth rate of 7% over the same period in 2021, by an increase of 1,139 licenses, whereby the issued licenses hit 1979 ones while the renewed licenses touched 15,080 ones.

Commenting on that, HE Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, SEDD Chairman, said that the data issued by the Department indicate a significant increase in the investment movement, especially in the issued licenses, which are indicators of sustainable growth for Sharjah’s economy.

Al Suwaidi said that the issuance of this data is one of the most important economic indicators that the Department relies on to study the economic situation in the emirate. He stressed that SEDD’s strategic objective is to achieve a comprehensive development plan that enhances economic development in Sharjah, by developing services to match the highest international quality standards in terms of speed of delivery and access to dealers in the economic sector and investors in the emirate, and striving to complete transactions with ease.

 Also, SEDD continues to work on a number of sectors and development aspects, not only economic activities. This can be done through the continuous development of the business environment adopting business matchmaking processes, the use of smart investor techniques, reliance on premium partner cards, and the use of digital technologies. Likely, it can be done through applying government accelerators and continue to adopt quality systems for business continuity management, which ensures the quality performance of digital services in the business environment, and development in the areas of human capital in building innovative capabilities and investing in citizenship capabilities in universities.

From his side, Fahad Al Khamiri, Director of Registration and Licensing Department at the Department, confirmed that the results of the emirate's business, including the issuance and renewal of business licenses, are in line with the general growth in GDP in Sharjah. He pointed out that the Department is working to simplify services and procedures, with the aim of facilitating business registration procedures, issuing business licenses, and providing greater flexibility for investors and dealers, in a way that allows them to establish their businesses within a short time.

He added that the growth rates of industrial licenses issued increased by 20%, while the professional licenses issued grew by 18% during the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. On the other hand, the total number of renewed licenses (commercial, professional, industrial, Eitimad, and e-commerce) increased in the first quarter of this year by 8%, 5%, 13%, 28%, and 525%, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2021.

Al Khamiri stressed that the growth of licenses during the first quarter of this year confirms the strength of the local economy and the attractiveness of the investment environment in the emirate. He clarified that SEDD’s initiatives during the last period contributed to promoting business growth and attracting more investments. Likewise, he pointed out that these figures reflect the business sectors' confidence in the investment opportunities available in Sharjah's economy.

On the other hand, Khalfan Al Herathi, Director of SEDD Branches, said that the Department’s Branches completed 1979 licenses issued during the first quarter of 2022, according to the data released by the Department.  

Al Herathi confirmed that the issued licenses in 2022 first quarter achieved growth in the Department’s main headquarters with 714 licenses, and the Industrial Areas Branch issued 886 licenses, while the Central Region Branch issued 241 licenses. On the hand, Khor Fakkan Branch issued 72 licenses, and Kalba Branch issued 45 ones while Dibba Al Hisn Branch reached 21 licenses.

For his part, Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director of Commercial Control and Protection Department in SEDD, confirmed that the Department carried out 41,641 inspection campaigns on various economic establishments in the emirate. He pointed out that the Commercial Control and Protection Department teams is working continuously to ensure the safety of all economic practices in Sharjah.

Furthermore, SEDD handled 2,970 complaints received during the first quarter of this year 2022. Therefore, according to data issued by the Department, the complaints it received were distributed with consumer protection complaints forming the largest share with 2,463 complaints, followed by complaints of commercial fraud with 352 ones, and then service agent complaints that hit 155 ones.

It should be noted that consumer protection complaints were distributed to include many sectors. These complaints were from the automotive and its spare parts sector that recorded 23% of the total consumer protection complaints received by the Department, while complaints about mobile phones and electronics amounted to 13%. Also, complaints about furniture and curtains hit 9%, while complaints about personal services activities amounted to 8%, and complaints about electrical appliances and building materials were 7%. In addition,  complaints about tourism, travel and shipping were 6%, while other complaints were distributed unevenly across various other economic sectors.

Al Suwaidi added that SEDD always seeks to enhance consumer culture by educating consumers and investors about their rights and duties. This is done through an ideal commercial environment with a high culture of awareness and impartiality in buying and selling procedures in all economic sectors, following the highest international standards and practices. These results confirm the active role played by the Department in preserving consumers' rights, and the extent to which it is able to educate consumers and enhance the economic and commercial position in the emirate.