Sharjah Approves UAE’s Largest Unified Government Media Hub in Landmark Move
In a strategic move to cement its position in the creative industries, the Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, has approved the development of the largest unified government-media hub in the UAE and the wider region. This landmark initiative, to be located within Sharjah Media City (Shams), aims to transform the emirate into a premier destination for film, television, and digital content production.
The project will consolidate key government media entities—including the Sharjah Media Council, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, and the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority—into a single, state-of-the-art complex. This consolidation is designed to create synergies, streamline operations, and present a powerful, unified front for the emirate’s media sector.
World-Class Infrastructure for a Global Creative Industry
The hub is designed to compete on a global scale, featuring cutting-edge infrastructure that removes the need for local production companies to seek resources abroad. The centerpiece of the complex will be five massive studio spaces, each ranging from 1,500 to 3,400 square metres, purpose-built for major film, drama, and TV productions.
Beyond the studios, the hub will offer a full suite of post-production facilities, including advanced editing suites, visual effects (VFX) units, and sound-design studios. This end-to-end capability ensures that projects can be completed to international standards entirely within Sharjah.
The “Shams Creative Oasis” and a Holistic Media Ecosystem
The vision extends beyond pure production. The project includes the “Shams Creative Oasis,” a dedicated cultural centre featuring a 700-seat theatre for artistic performances, community events, and training programmes. This focus on nurturing talent and fostering a vibrant creative community is a core part of the strategy.
The physical layout of the hub includes four specialized buildings for the media council, government media bureau, and other entities, plus a new dedicated building for the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority to house its administrative, news, and sports-channel operations.
Strategic Implications for Sharjah and the Region
This massive investment signals a significant shift, with several key implications:
For Local Talent: Emirati and regional content creators will have unprecedented access to world-class infrastructure, reducing production barriers and enabling them to produce high-quality content for global audiences.
For Economic Diversification: The hub aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to build a sustainable, knowledge-based creative economy, creating new jobs and retaining talent within the country.
For Regional Competition: By creating the “largest unified government media hub,” Sharjah sets a new benchmark, directly competing with other media free zones in the region and positioning itself as a full-fledged media ecosystem.
In summary, the approval of this mega media hub marks a bold new chapter for Sharjah. By bringing world-class production facilities, major government media bodies, and a cultural centre under one roof at Shams, the emirate is powerfully stating its intent to become a leading player in the regional and global creative and media industries. The success of this vision will hinge on sustained execution, but the foundation for a transformative media ecosystem has now been laid.
