UAE Ministry and Sharjah Free Zone Partner to Bolster Trademark Protection and Business Growth
Sharjah, UAE – The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone. This collaboration aims to significantly enhance access to trademark registration and investment services, fortifying intellectual property (IP) protection, and offering more integrated services for investors and entrepreneurs operating within the Free Zone.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the Sharjah Investment Forum, formalising a commitment to streamline processes for businesses and safeguard their brands.
Strengthening Intellectual Property Frameworks
The MoU was executed by H.E. Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and SPC Free Zone, and H.E. Dr Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism.
According to H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, this partnership will simplify the trademark registration process for SPC Free Zone businesses, allowing them to better protect their intellectual property and establish stronger foundations for future expansion. The initiative aligns with a broader vision to provide entrepreneurs and investors with comprehensive access to essential services, expertise, and support necessary for safeguarding creations, fostering competitiveness, and facilitating entry into new markets.
National Commitment to IP Development
H.E. Dr. Al Muaini underscored the UAE’s continuous efforts to evolve its legislative framework and service ecosystem concerning the protection of intellectual property rights and trademarks. These ongoing developments are designed to boost business competitiveness and stimulate innovation across diverse economic sectors. He noted that the Ministry recorded 17,230 national and international trademark registrations during the first half of 2026. Furthermore, over the past three years, more than 60 impactful initiatives have been launched to strengthen the nation’s environment for IP, innovation, and creativity, averaging more than 20 initiatives annually.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism is dedicated to expanding cooperation with entities that serve investors and entrepreneurs, aiming to streamline procedures and elevate awareness regarding the critical importance of intellectual property protection. The MoU with Sharjah Publishing City is seen as a pivotal step in enabling and protecting innovation within the publishing sector and the broader creative industries.
Facilitating Access and Awareness
Under the terms of the MoU, SPC Free Zone will make trademark registration services directly available to its customers upon request, ensuring easier access to the Ministry’s offerings in this domain.
Key elements of the cooperation include:
- Providing technical advice and guidance on the national trademark registration system.
- Delivering training to SPC Free Zone employees on the system’s usage and various applications.
- Organising specialised training courses to deepen understanding of the service and its operational mechanisms.
- Facilitating the exchange of publications, promotional materials, information, and expertise between the two parties.
- Co-organising joint meetings, workshops, and conferences focused on investment and government services for business establishment.
- Developing and implementing joint awareness programmes to educate investors and entrepreneurs on the significance of protecting intellectual property rights and encourage utilisation of the Ministry’s trademark registration services.
Established in 2017 as an integral part of the Sharjah Book Authority, SPC Free Zone is globally recognised as the first of its kind, offering companies within the publishing, creative, and allied industries a tax-free environment with 100% corporate ownership. Its strategic proximity to major airports and seaports provides businesses with immediate access to global trade routes and opportunities.