37,356 issued & renewed licenses in Sharjah during 2025 H1

Such data revealed the most significant developments and events witnessed by the economic sectors in Sharjah, as well as the measures and efforts undertaken by the Department across all sectors and activities. This release aimed at providing a comprehensive tool for stakeholders in the emirate's economic sectors and inform them of the most significant results achieved. Such thing confirms SEDD’s efforts to achieve balanced and sustainable economic performance and enhance business continuity across various sectors.

Thereof, the number of issued licenses during the first half of 2025 reached 4,359, with a 16% increase. On the other hand, the number of renewed licenses hit 32,997, a 7% increase over the same period last year.

When analyzing the issued and renewed licenses in Sharjah during the first half of 2025 by type, it was clearly displayed that the commercial licenses took the first rank in the number of licenses issued and renewed in the emirate with a total of 23,945 licenses and a growth rate of 7% compared to the first half of last year. Then, it was followed by professional licenses with a total of 10,693 licenses with an increase of about 7%. On the other hand, the industrial licenses hit 1,924 ones, with a growth rate of 14%, while Eitimad licenses came in fourth with 522 licenses, and with a growth of 41%. Later on, the e-commerce licenses reached 272 ones, with a growth rate of 23% compared to the first half of last year.

In addition, when distributing the completed licenses according to SEDD branches, the Industrial Areas Branch completed 16,904 licenses, with a growth of 9% compared to the first half of last year. Then, SEDD Headquarter completed 13,968 licenses, with an increase of 8%; whereas the Central Region Branch accomplished 3,620 licenses, with a growth of 6%. Likely, Khor Fakkan Branch realized 1,445 licenses, with a growth rate of 4%; while Kalba Branch completed 1,165 licenses, with a growth of 3%. Finally, Dibba Al Hisn Branch accomplished 254 licenses, with a growth of 3% compared to the same period last year.

Furthermore, SEDD conducted 78,887 inspection campaigns on various economic establishments in the emirate during the first half of 2025. Also, the Department has dealt with many different cases of commercial protection complaints during the past period, each of which was fully resolved in cooperation with all concerned parties. Thus, the total number of commercial protection complaints reached 7,685, including 6,677 consumer protection complaints, 652 commercial fraud complaints, and 356 service agent complaints. The satisfaction rate with the department's consumer protection services for the first half of this year reached 78%.

Regarding the data on the scales calibrated by type during the first half this year, the total number of "commercial and gold" scales reached 1,950, representing a growth rate of 56% compared to the same period last year.

Commenting on that, His Excellency Hamad Ali Abdalla Al Mahmoud, SEDD Chairman, stated that the economic sectors in Sharjah are built on solid foundations of diversifying sources of income, focusing on developing key sectors, supporting and stimulating future economic activities, and developing and modernizing flexible legal frameworks that support businesses. This is done in cooperation with concerned partners from all sectors, to make the emirate a leading investment destination in the region.

Also, Al Mahmoud expressed his appreciation for all the combined efforts that contributed to achieving this economic performance, commending the results that these efforts have yielded, confirming the success of development strategies and the feasibility of fruitful cooperation between the public and private sectors. He called on all sectors to carry on their development approach and encourage innovative ideas so that Sharjah's economy remains an inspiring model in its ability to create opportunities.

Likely, Al Mahmoud said that SEDD report on business licenses for the first half of 2025 indicate the ability of Sharjah's business sectors to achieve sustainable growth leaps and meet aspirations for the highest levels of excellence and leadership. This is done in accordance with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah,, and with the close pursuit of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council. This contributes to advancing the economic environment to advanced levels, enabling the Department to continue it steady growth.

Moreover, His Excellency SEDD Chairman confirmed that the data issued by the Department indicates a significant increase in investment activity, which are indicators pointing to sustainable growth in the economy of Sharjah. Also, he pointe out that the issuance of this data is one of the important economic indicators that the Department relies on to study the economic situation in the emirate. Likewise, HE emphasised that the Department's strategic goal is to achieve a comprehensive development plan that enhances economic development in Sharjah, by improving services to meet the highest international quality standards in terms of speed of completion and accessibility to economic sector clients and investors in the emirate, and striving to complete transactions with ease and convenience.

On the other hand, His Excellency Fahad Ahmed Al Khamiri, SEDD Director, pointed out that the data of 2025 first half confirm the strength of the emirate's economy, the attractiveness of its investment environment, and the confidence of business sectors in the investment opportunities.

Additionally, His Excellency Al Khamiri added that SEDD constantly seeks to provide numerous facilities that contribute to enhancing the continuity of development in various fields, thus strengthening the economic and industrial sectors. Meanwhile, SEDD works on a number of development sectors, not just economic activities, through the continuous development of the business environment, the use of the latest systems and technologies such as the Smart Investor, the implementation of government accelerators, and the continued adoption of quality systems for business continuity management, which ensures the quality of digital services performance in the business environment.