Sharjah has introduced the world’s first trade license issued entirely through artificial intelligence (AI), allowing entrepreneurs and investors to complete the licensing process in under five minutes.
The new AI service is initially available through the Sharjah Investor Services Center (Saeed) and SPC Free Zone, enabling investors to obtain trade licenses in less than five minutes.
Plans are in place to extend this service to other free zones across Sharjah. This positions Invest in Sharjah as the first investment promotion agency globally to adopt AI for issuing trade licenses, emphasizing its commitment to fostering regional and global market cooperation.
SPC Free Zone, an initiative by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), has set a new standard by being the first free zone to implement AI-driven licensing, revolutionizing business launches in the region.
“This agreement marks a transformative leap in Sharjah’s already attractive investment environment, positioning the emirate ever more strongly as a leading global destination for future-focused, innovative, and sustainable investments,” Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, stated.
For his part, Naim Yazbeck, Microsoft UAE’s General Manager, added, “AI technology is revolutionising the business landscape in Sharjah, enabling a more efficient and innovative environment. By leveraging AI, we are not only enhancing operational efficiencies but also fostering a culture of innovation that drives economic growth and attracts global investments..”
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said, “This AI-powered licence and similar innovation-first incentives introduced by Sharjah further enhance SPC Free Zone’s position as an integrated business hub setting global standards in business.”
Sharjah ranks fifth globally in FDI project growth and fourth in the Gulf region for startup ecosystems, marking it as a leader in integrating technology into core sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and logistics.
