In line with its commitment to provide a sustainable operating environment and facilitate setting up and the running of a business with relative ease, the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ), the world’s first publishing and printing free zone, has signed an agreement with Al Khebra Labour Supply Centre, a subsidiary of the Administrative Services Group (ASG) to take the quick and convenient administrative solutions offered to clients a step further.

SPC Free Zone, a subsidiary of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), signed the agreement with the Centre on the side-lines of the 38th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), currently ongoing at the Sharjah Expo Centre.

As per the terms of the agreement, the Centre will deliver comprehensive government services through its approved centres that include, amongst others, applications for a host of integrated services at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), processing of visas, residency permits, medical examination and Emirates ID applications. The agreement also covers other services provided at Tad-beer, Tas’heel, Tawjeeh and the approved medical examination centres.

SPC Free Zone -based entrepreneurs and the public can avail of these services at the centre located within the free zone and will no longer have to process them at different government departments. In addition, the centre will also deliver services of the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), Sharjah Municipality, and Sharjah Courts for the streamlined functioning of the businesses based at the free zone.

The 24/7 medical clearance centres will offer both express and VIP medical examination services. The VIP service will deliver results within four hours.

Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPC Free Zone, said: “Through our new partnership with the centre, we aim to facilitate the ease of doing business for our clients and the public, and provide fast, effective services that are required to run a business smoothly.”

“The wide range of business set up and administrative services that are offered will empower and support publishers and all allied businesses working in the sector,” he added. “This reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah to promote services that advance SPC Free Zone’s business environment.”

Ayub Abdul Karim Al Zarouni, Chairman of ASG, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with SPC Free Zone in offering services that will help both entrepreneurs and the public to process their applications with ease, and thereby, accelerate the pace of their work.”

“Since its founding, the centre has been supporting governmental bodies in the emirate and meeting the needs of citizens and residents, allowing us to contribute to the UAE’s journey of development. This is the holistic objective we seek to achieve through our partnerships that support Sharjah’s vibrant and advanced business environment. We laud SPC Free Zone’s efforts to advance the local and regional publishing industry, and we look forward to working with them as a result of this new agreement.”