Compare Fujairah Free Zone and Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone for Manufacturing & Industrial setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Fujairah Free Zone vs Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone for Manufacturing & Industrial: Fujairah Free Zone starts at AED 21,500 (85% bank approval) and Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone at AED 4,999 (88%). On Year-1 cost, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 21,500 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Low-cost setup, port access, industrial and trading activities | |
| AED 4,999 | 1-2 days | Moderate | Fastest setup time and lowest entry cost for freelancers and startups |
Lowest cost setup, port access, industrial and trading activities
Manufacturing licences in UAE free zones grant access to industrial plots, pre-built warehouses, and labour accommodation. Environmental approvals from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment or the free zone authority are required before commencing production. Industrial licences typically require a higher minimum capital investment than commercial licences.
Manufacturing of goods within a free zone qualifies as a qualifying activity with a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. Goods sold domestically attract 5% VAT, while re-exports from designated zones may be zero-rated.
Manufacturing companies benefit from working capital facilities, machinery financing, and letters of credit for raw material imports. Banks will request detailed production capacity data, supply contracts, and off-take agreements. Environmental compliance documentation is increasingly important for account opening.
December 2025: Recognition for Fujairah Digital Government and digital transformation support
November 2025: Participated in BIG 5 GLOBAL 2025
October 2025: Participated in GITEX GLOBAL 2025
July 2025: Welcomed delegation from Fujairah Customs Department for operational cooperation
Company setup in Fujairah Free Zone starts from AED 21,500 per year.
Fujairah Free Zone processes company registrations in 2-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 85%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Fujairah Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Fujairah Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone wins on 4 of 4 dimensions. We recommend Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone for cost-conscious founders and Fujairah Free Zone if lowest cost setup, port access, industrial and trading activities.
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