Photo Credit: WAM
Dubai, UAE — February 2026 — The Sharjah Economic Development Department has declared 2025 a landmark year of transformative growth, unveiling impressive metrics that underscore the emirate’s strengthening position as a competitive and sustainable economic hub.
Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud, chairman of SEDD and member of the Sharjah Executive Council, confirmed that the year’s achievements reflect the vitality of the local economy and the rapid expansion of its business environment, as reported by the Emirates News Agency,
Revealing the annual report, Al Mahmoud highlighted that the total number of economic establishments in Sharjah has reached 84,443, driven by a comprehensive strategy of economic diversification, supportive legislation, and a sweeping digital overhaul.
The department’s digital transformation has gone beyond the technical dimension to include operational thinking and work mechanisms, he stated, citing the re-engineering of services and the development of advanced digital platforms.
A key milestone in this technological push was the launch of an AI-powered commercial name issuance service, which streamlines procedures and reduces transaction times by intelligently analysing business activities.
This contributed to a significant boost in business confidence, with the total number of issued and renewed business licences rising by seven percent.
Notably, newly issued licences saw a remarkable surge of 34 percent, led by a 57 percent increase in home-based businesses and a 50 percent rise in e-commerce licences, underscoring a diversified economic base.
Geographically, the Eastern Region recorded exceptional growth of 68 percent, with Khorfakkan alone witnessing a staggering 126 percent increase in licences, demonstrating the success of the emirate’s balanced development strategy.
The industrial sector also maintained steady momentum with eight percent growth, reinforcing Sharjah’s appeal as a manufacturing and investment destination. Foreign investor confidence remained high, with foreign-owned licences growing by 18 percent.
Al Mahmoud attributed much of this vibrancy to the department’s focus on customer experience. In July, the introduction of the “Instant Licence” service, which allows investors to obtain a licence within one working day without an initial lease contract or memorandum of association, resulted in 1,165 immediate issuances. This is supported by a network of 18 service centres across the emirate.
In a landmark achievement for governance, SEDD became the first entity in Sharjah and at the national level to obtain the ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems.
The department also secured ISO 44001:2017 for Collaborative Business Relationship Management, bringing its total international certifications to 12.
On the regulatory front, the department conducted over 262,000 inspection visits and resolved 97 percent of the 16,627 commercial protection complaints received, demonstrating a robust supervisory system.
Consumer protection complaints saw a three percent decline, reflecting improved market compliance.
The department’s commitment to national talent development was equally prominent, with an Emiratisation rate of 97 percent.
A total of 310 training programmes were implemented, alongside initiatives like the “Young Economist” programme for employees’ children.
Community-focused projects, such as the “Aoun Service” delivering services to elderly citizens at their locations, and free office initiatives for nationals, further solidified SEDD’s inclusive approach.
With customer satisfaction rating SEDD’s services at 96.8 percent, Al Mahmoud hailed 2025 as a pivotal milestone.
He emphasized that Sharjah is moving forward in building a diversified, smart, and sustainable economy driven by innovation, supported by sound governance, and founded on qualified national talent.
The top official noted that the results of 2025 represent a new starting point towards a more ambitious phase in the emirate’s economic development journey.
