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How to Start a Publications and Stationery Outlet Business with Meydan Free Zone
Publications and stationery represent two of the most universally consumed retail categories, combining the permanent human demand for knowledge, culture, and education with the everyday functional necessity of writing and organisational materials. The UAE has distinguished itself as a regional hub for both, positioning itself as the Arab world’s publishing capital through a calendar of internationally significant book events and a government commitment to promoting Arabic language and reading culture that is unmatched in the region.
The global books market was valued at USD 147.88 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 213.78 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 4.18%, according to SkyQuest¹. The global stationery products market was valued at USD 117.22 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 180.65 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 4.42%, according to Precedence Research².
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is one of the most important cultural platforms in the Arabic-speaking world. Its 2025 edition hosted over 1,400 exhibitors from 96 countries presenting books in over 60 languages, while the 2024 edition recorded 231,168 visitors and 160,152 books sold, according to the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre³.
The Sharjah International Book Fair, held separately, is one of the largest book fairs in the world by exhibitor count. Together, these events reflect a UAE government commitment to reading culture that creates a structurally supportive environment for book and publication retailers, including stall-based operators.
In stationery, educational institutions account for 48% of global stationery demand, and the MEA stationery market was valued at USD 1.49 billion in 2024, according to Cognitive Market Research⁴. The fastest-growing segment globally is residential stationery, which is expanding at a CAGR of 8.5% driven by Gen Z and millennial interest in creative hobbies including journaling, calligraphy, and bullet journaling.
Dubai’s diverse, internationally educated, and creative-class resident population is well-positioned to support this trend at stall level.
Operators of a Publications and Stationery Outlet under this activity code must obtain pre-approval from the UAE Media Council (UAEMC) before the Meydan Free Zone license can be issued.
The UAEMC is the federal authority responsible for regulating media and publications content in the UAE, and its pre-approval requirement applies to any retail business selling books, periodicals, and other licensed media publications.
This pre-approval step ensures that content sold through the outlet complies with UAE media regulations and is a standard licensing pathway for publication retail across the country.
4789 Retail sale via stalls and markets of other goods
Activity code 4789.97 falls within ISIC class 4789, which covers the retail sale of other goods via stalls or markets. Under the Meydan Free Zone classification, this sub-code is specifically designated for Publications and Stationery Outlet, covering the retail sale of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and other licensed publications, alongside stationery, office supplies, art materials, and related goods, from a stall or outlet position.
Because this activity involves the sale of licensed media content, UAE Media Council pre-approval is required before the license may be issued.
Who is this for?
Activity Details
Book and publication retailers: Businesses selling books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and other licensed publications from a market stall or outlet, serving Dubai’s 200-plus-nationality population with a wide range of international, Arabic, and multilingual titles and benefiting from the UAE’s government-led reading culture promotion.
School and office stationery suppliers: Traders retailing school and office stationery including notebooks, writing instruments, paper products, filing supplies, and organisational tools from a stall or outlet, serving the UAE’s large student and professional population and benefiting from the educational segment’s 48% share of global stationery demand.
Art supplies and creative stationery sellers: Sellers of art materials, creative stationery, journaling and bullet journaling supplies, calligraphy sets, craft materials, and premium writing instruments from a stall, serving a global residential stationery segment growing at a CAGR of 8.5% driven by Gen Z and millennial creative hobby culture.
Third-Party Approval
This activity requires third-party approval from UAEMC (UAE Media Council), obtained before the license is issued (pre-approval), to obtain a business license from Meydan Free Zone.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is not subject to AML compliance requirements.
References
- SkyQuest, Books Market Size, Share, Trends and Report 2033 — https://www.skyquestt.com/report/books-market
- Precedence Research, Stationery Products Market Size and Forecast 2025 to 2034 — https://www.precedenceresearch.com/stationery-products-market
- Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, Abu Dhabi International Book Fair — https://adbookfair.com/en/adibf
- Cognitive Market Research, Stationery Market Report — https://www.cognitivemarketresearch.com/stationery-market-report
- Market Data Forecast, Stationery Market Size, Share and Trends 2033 — https://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/stationery-market
