Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council (SEC) recently approved Sharjah government's second stimulus package aimed at mitigating the economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Under the second stimulus, the Sharjah government aims to provide several incentives to support and develop public and private entities, a number of business entities and individual in a bid to strengthen the continuity of their business operations in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak. The stimulus was announced under the directives of Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

While the value of incentives announced in the first stimulus package was estimated at AED481 million, the second stimulus has been valued at AED512 million. These incentives have been announced as part of the SEC's keenness and vision to boost the continuity of development of various business sectors in the city during this critical time and mitigate the economic and social of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Here are the various incentives approved by the SEC:

Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority

1.     The stimulus will cover the payment of fees on instalments of electricity, water and natural gas services for owners of economic, commercial and industrial businesses through several instalments that can go up to two years in a bid to alleviate their financial burdens

2.     Free technical consultations regarding starting a project, designing and implementing electricity, water and gas services extensions will be provided to support the owners to save their cost of financial expenses.

3.     Insurance fees for electricity, water and natural gas for economic, commercial and industrial establishments will be reduced.

4.     Fines for additional electricity loads in economic, commercial and industrial businesses will be cancelled.

Municipalities of the Emirate of Sharjah

Fee for attesting residential lease contracts has been reduced from 4 percent to 2 percent until March 3, 2021.

Department of Economic Development

1.     Exemption of economic establishments from renewal of licenses has been extended, including a fee of three months' annual fees.

2.     Delay fines and inspection violations have been reduced to 50 percent for economic establishments, with the condition that the owners improve their conditions within the next three months

3.     People will be given 50 percent discount for issuance of a license for industrial establishments with the aim of boosting growth of the industrial sector and the GDP.

4.     Private nurseries have been exempted from all government fees for a year.

Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department

Buyer fee for non-GCC citizens has been reduced from 4 percent to 2 percent of the sale value.

Sharjah Department of Planning and Survey

1.     Leasing of investment property: Investors free from paying rent until March 31, 2021.

2.     Motorbike rental activity sites: Investors are exempted from paying rent until March 31, 2021.

3.     Renting shops: Tenants have been given a 25 percent discount on rent value until March 31, 2021.

4.     Rental of temporary sites: Tenants have been exempted by 25 percent of the rent value until the end of March 31, 2021.

5.     For the splitting of multi-story transactions, payment period has been extended for 24 months.

6.     Instalments for returned cheques will be paid to the end of the current year in a bid to boost payment to investors and tenants.

Private Education Authority

1.     94 private nurseries have been exempted from paying fees for renewing educational licences for a year.

2.     115 private schools have been exempted from paying fees for renewing educational licences for an academic year.

3.     65 training centres have been exempted from paying educational licence renewal fees for a year.

Sharjah Seaports, Customs and Free Zones Authority

1.     Merchant and wooden ships have been exempted from berthing and loading fees in both Sharjah Creek and Khor Hamriyah Free Zone.

2.     Fees on port operations such as handling and loading as well unloading, associated fees and marine charges have been reduced by 20 percent.

3.     All bulk cargo have been exempted from paying storage fees for a period of 90 days.

4.     Tariff for truck stops at Sharjah ports has been reduced by 50 percent within designated areas.

5.     Shipping and customs clearance companies have been exempted from bank guarantees required to carry out their activities

6.     Commercial companies have been exempted from inspection fees.

7.     Companies operating in free zones have been exempted from fines for delay in the renewal of licences.

8.     Visa fines in free zones have been exempted

9.     Corporate share transfer fee has been discounted by 50 percent

10. Depending on the commercial activity, new licences fees has been discounted from 20 percent to 50 percent.

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Foundation, Ruwad

Payment of instalments for Sharjah Entrepreneurship Foundation-funded projects has been postponed to three months instalments.

Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)

1.     RTA violations issued from January 1, 2020 until the end of the year for violations issued before November 1, 2020, have been discounted by 50 percent.

2.     Rental fees for taxi plate numbers have been discounted by 25 percent from August 1, 2020, until the end of the year.

3.     Limousine companies (Sharjah Transport Solutions LLC, Bee'ah, Limousine Company) have been exempted from trip fees for the year 2020

4.     Taxi vehicles and public transport network operators have been exempted from the following fees as of August 1, 2020 until the end of the year.

a.     Fees for quality control services for taxis and operator of transportation networks.

b.     Operating fees at Sharjah Airport

c.      Rental fees for the bus stop to the public transport network operator and charges of concession fees

d.     RTA violations before 2015 cancelled

Department of Civil Aviation

Licensing fees for travel companies, agencies and tourism establishments have been reduced by 50 percent until 2021.

Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry

1.     Affiliated members of the Chamber will receive a 50 percent discount from the previous fees until the end of 2018

2.     Participation fees for companies in the Sharjah Excellence Award have been exempted

Sharjah Book Authority, Sharjah Publishing City

1.     Discounts up to 35 percent for entities in accordance with specific requirements and criteria including

2.     Reduction in prices of comprehensive packages for new customers.

3.     Reduction in fees for independent licences.

4.     Reduction in rental fees.

5.     Various offers rescheduling payments and exempting rental fees to reduce the burdens for existing customers

6.     Provision of facilities in the instalment payment system.

7.     Comprehensive licencing packages have been reduced for newly registered companies in the Business Centre.

8.     Discounts on independent licences.

9.     Rental fees per square meter have been reduced

10. An offer waiving rental fees and rescheduling payments to reduce burdens of existing clients

Sharjah Media City, Shams

1.     Licencing or renewal discounts of up to 30 percent in accordance with specific requirements and criteria.

2.     A long-term (3-year) fee reductions for commercial licences.

3.     Competitive packages for specific categories including women entrepreneur package, entrepreneur package, package for media companies with the aim of attracting business and stimulate their growth.

WAM