Licences issued and renewed in Sharjah increase 8% during H1 2022

The total number of licences issued and renewed in the emirate of Sharjah during the first half of this year increased by 33,157.

According to data by the Sharjah Economic Development Department, this marks a growth rate of 8 per cent over the same period in 2021.

Of the total figure, 3,858 were issued during H1 2022, compared to 3,526 in the first half of last year, recording a growth rate of 9 per cent. The total number of renewed licences during the first half of the year reached 29,299, compared to 27,262 throughout the same period in 2021, marking a 7 per cent growth rate.

Fahad Ahmed Al Khamiri, director of registration and licencing department at SEDD, said that the data showed that the commercial licences – equalling 2,248 – topped in terms of distribution. This was followed by 1,273 professional licences, 161 industrial licences, 99 “Eitimad” licences, and 77 e-commerce licences.

Regarding renewed licences, commercial licences topped the list, reaching 18,992 during the first half of 2022, followed by 8,718 professional licences, 1,233 industrial licences, while Eitimad licences equalled 306 and e-commerce licences amounted to 50, official news agency WAM reported.

Al Khamiri noted that SEDD is working to simplify services and procedures, with the aim of facilitating business registration procedures, issuing licences, and providing greater flexibility for investors and dealers.

According to the data on business licences issued and renewed in the department’s branches, 26,670 licences were issued or renewed in Sharjah city during the first half of this year. The central region branch came second with 3,753 licences, while Khor Fakkan branch hit 1,314. Kalba branch amounted to 1,140 licences, while Dibba Al Hisn branch reached 280 licences, the statement added.

Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi, deputy director of the commercial control and protection department at SEDD, explained that the department conducted 81,933 inspection campaigns on various economic establishments in the emirate during H1 2022. The department oversaw 5,374 complaints received during the period, with consumer protection complaints forming the largest share at 4,578, followed by 477 complaints of commercial fraud, and 319 complaints by service agents.

Among consumer protection complaints, 23 per cent came from the automotive sector and spare parts. Complaints about mobile phones amounted to 12 per cent, about furniture and curtains equalled 7 per cent, and about personal services activities amounted to 9 per cent. In addition, electrical appliances and building materials complaints amounted to 6 per cent, while complaints about tourism, travel and shipping amounted to 5 per cent.

Meanwhile, the total number of licences issued and renewed in Q1 2022 across Sharjah reached 17,059.

Read: Sharjah: Over 17,000 business licences issued and renewed in Q1 2022

Also read: Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry reports rise in new companies in Q1 2022