Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) reported an 8% increase in the total number of business licences issued and renewed during the first half of 2025, reaching 37,356.
Of these, 4,359 were new licences, a rise of 16%, while renewals accounted for 32,997, up 7% year-on-year.
By category, commercial licences topped the list at 23,945 (+7%), followed by 10,693 professional licences (+7%), 1,924 industrial licences (+14%), 522 Eitimad licences (+41%), and 272 e-commerce licences (+23%).
SEDD also conducted 78,887 inspections across the emirate and processed 7,685 commercial protection complaints, 6,677 consumer, 652 fraud, 356 service-agent, with a 78% satisfaction rate. The number of commercial and gold scale calibrations reached 1,950, an increase of 56%.
SEDD Chairman Hamad Ali Abdalla Al Mahmoud said the figures reflect a diversified economy and robust legal frameworks that support business growth. Director Fahad Ahmed Al Khamiri added the numbers confirm Sharjah’s strengthened investment environment.
For added context, Sharjah’s growth outpaced its 4.1% increase in licences in 2023, when the emirate issued 66,365 licences. The launch of an “instant licence” service in late June, allowing licence issuance within one day, may accelerate future numbers.
Sharjah projects GDP growth of up to 7.5% in 2025, driven by non-oil activity, free zones like SAIF, and manufacturing. The strong licensing data, rising inspections, and consumer protection performance support its ambition to become a leading business and investment hub.
