Sharjah unveils opportunities for stable, long-term investment at Annual Investment Meeting

Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), the investment arm of the government of Sharjah, participated in the 11th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM 2022), which concluded recently at the Dubai Exhibition Center (South Hall) at Expo 2020 Dubai, from March 29th-31st The Sharjah pavilion included the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), Sharjah Media City Free Zone (Shams), Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCC), Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), and Sharjah Investors Services Centre (SAEED).

Held under the theme, ‘Investments in Sustainable Innovation for a Thriving Future’, the 2022 edition of AIM focused on bolstering and improving investments towards sustainability and innovation through activities under six multifaceted tenets: FDI, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPI), Startups, Future Cities and the Projects of the 50.

Mohammed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO, Invest in Sharjah, underlined the emirate’s strategy of intensifying efforts to attract more diversified FDIs that promise innovation-based and sustainable growth to support sectors of national priority. He said: “In line with the vision and ‘Principles of the 50’, the emirate’s ongoing investments in future sectors are enabling us to move towards a sustainable growth model based on knowledge and advanced technology. These areas of businesses have significant potential for expansion, and the continued shift from the emirate’s traditional manufacturing activities to tech-based emerging sectors has attracted AED272 million in capital investments in the first half of 2021.”

Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation (SRTI) Park, said, “Today we begin a renewed tireless and ambitious journey towards greater achievements in all fields, driven by the ‘Principles of 50’ document.”

Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), spotlighted Sharjah’s active participation in the global entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. “Sharjah has always been an entrepreneurial city, and continues to be at the forefront of creativity, culture, and education. At Sheraa, we believe in the innate potential of the talent in the emirate, and have supported world-class homegrown ventures committed to advancing human progress. AIM is an opportunity to showcase Sharjah’s vibrant entrepreneurship hub to a global audience, and invite key partners and enablers to join our cause in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), stressed that the chamber’s participation in the Annual Investment Forum 2022, under the umbrella of Sharjah’s pavilion, has yielded great results.

Shihab Al Hammadi, Director of Sharjah Media City (Shams), said: “Our participation in the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) under the umbrella of ‘Invest in Sharjah’ was an exceptional experience and an unparalleled opportunity for us to present our services, promote business growth, and help entrepreneurs launch innovative projects in the media sector, among other vital industries.”

Abdulaziz Omar Al Midfa, Deputy Director of the Governmental Communications Department at Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), said: “The Annual Investment Meeting in its new session serves as a gateway for economic and investment communication with the world, especially since the country has become a prominent global commercial and investment center.”

Highlighting the supportive ecosystem offered for investors, startups, and business owners in Sharjah, Marwan Saleh Alichla, General Manager, Sharjah Investors Services Centre (SAEED), said: “Sharjah is a pro-investor emirate and a regional gateway to international markets. This status is enhanced and strengthened by the fully integrated 360-degree government solutions offered by SAEED to enable investors and business owners establish their companies in Sharjah in record time and in an efficient manner.

“WAM/Hatem Mohamed