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29 March 2024

Sharjah establishes Media City Free Zone

Published
By Wam

His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree establishing Sharjah Media City (SMC) Free Zone.

Decree No. 10 of 2016 stipulates the establishment of a media free zone - SMC Free Zone -  which has an independent legal personality, with full financial, administrative and civil independence necessary to undertake legal actions. Its geographical resolution and borders will be determined in a decree issued by the Ruler of Sharjah.

The decree listed the goals of SMC Free Zone, which is to develop and embrace talent and manpower working in media and creative fields, and regional leadership in the field of creative media training, support the development of creative, high-quality media, and provide a favourable environment for the media and creativity by creating an attractive and sustainable city with infrastructure and world-class services at reasonable cost, This would enable companies and institutions and small and medium entrepreneurs to engage with creative media sectors and enhance the emirate's reputation in the creative and media fields by highlighting local content regionally and globally.

The decree also listed the terms of reference of Sharjah Media City taking into account federal and local relevant legislation, where it will specialise in constructing relevant infrastructure and facilities in the free zone media city, provide administrative support services and any other services necessary to achieve its objectives, establish companies, institutions or joint ventures within the city, identify and organise business activities, registration and licensing of institutions or companies, and the collection of fees and charges, etc.

According to the decree, Sharjah Media City will be managed by an executive body including a president who shall be appointed by an Emiri Decree, who will provide an overall supervision of the city, and exercise powers that include proposing a general policy for the city's programmes and projects, supervise their implementation following the approval of the Ruler of Sharjah, draw plans to ensure the development of work in Sharjah Media City and its staff, oversee the implementation of the organisational, administrative and financial regulations, oversee that Sharjah Media City is operating in accordance with the laws and regulations, issue decisions, instructions and circulars necessary to do so, and approve the budget.