Sharjah: An Emiri decree to set up the Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone was issued on Thursday by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
Emiri Decree No. 14 of 2013 stipulates that SPC will enjoy a corporate body status, financial and administrative independence, and that its location will be determined by a resolution that will be issued later by the Ruler.
SPC’s objectives consist of enhancing the status of the emirate of Sharjah as a global hub for attracting relevant bodies operating in the publishing and printing sector. It’s aims include boosting the emirate’s cultural and scientific research movement on the local, regional and international level.
SPC will also develop the printing and publishing sector by providing it with all forms of support to enhance its operations, which will in turn reaffirm the significant role of writers and their influence in spreading awareness and knowledge in society in light of technological advancements and the availability of various sources of knowledge.
SPC will carry out a number of activities such as preparing, designing, developing and using resources, programmes and databases related to the publishing and printing sector, as well as publishing and printing magazines, newspapers, books and providing all forms of media services. It will also offer commercial activities and services required by residents and SPC’s staff and visitors.
The decree stipulates that SPC will be responsible for the infrastructure development and preparations related to the city. It will also offer administrative support and other services for fulfilling its objectives, as well as licensing and signing leasing agreements with organisations and institutions who wish to operate in SPC.
SPC’s executive body will consist of a chairman who will also serve as chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) which was also set up by Dr Shaikh Sultan by issuing decree No. 13 of 2013.
SBA will assume a corporate status, and will have full financial and administrative independence to carry out all legal procedures in achieving its objectives. SBA will be tasked with encouraging investments in sectors for creativity and innovation, and offering a platform for the exchange of culture and ideas between peoples from different civilisation and cultures. SBA will also work on to enhance the emirate’s status on the regional and international level to attract relevant bodies and figures operating in the cultural sector in general, and the publishing, printing and translation sector in particular,.
The chairman will be responsible for proposing SPC’s general policies, and supervising their implementation after they are approved by the Ruler. The chairman will also be tasked with approving financial and administrative regulations for SPC.
An Executive Director for SPC will be appointed based on a recommendation by the chairman and his or her duties will consist of managing SPC and submitting periodic reports regarding its management to the chairman. The executive director is also tasked with implementing strategic plans and policies, as well as proposing policies and regulations for developing SPC’s operations.
