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3/18/25, 2:13 PM Sharjah Ramadan Majlis discusses ways to develop economy – The Gulf Time Newspaper
emirate currently accounts for 35% of the UAE’s total industrial output, underscoring its status in driving national industrial
growth and competitiveness.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade discussed the significant economic status the UAE
has achieved globally, highlighting the country’s comprehensive network of partnerships, agreements, and cooperation
protocols across various sectors, stating, “The CEPA agreements are opening new doors for manufacturers in Sharjah,
making trade an even more significant driver of our economy. As we connect our markets to emerging economies in India,
Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America, for example, we are greatly expanding our reach and actively shaping a strong
global trade system. We’re already witnessing a surge of global interest in Sharjah, as it continues to attract businesses from
around the world, and by leveraging these agreements, our manufacturers can tap into new markets, diversify their export
portfolio, and position themselves at the forefront of global trade.”
On behalf of Sharjah’s Economic Integration Committee, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, who leads the committee, said: “Sharjah’s
economy is doing incredibly well and is evolving at an impressive pace, with our GDP now over AED 145 billion, surpassing

the global average by 3.5%. We’re immensely proud of the businesses that have found their home in Sharjah, especially
those in the private sector, that have been the backbone of our economy for over a decade, and there is a reason why global
giants such as Halliburton and Amazon have shown their confidence by investing in our emirate. Our primary mission is to
ensure greater integration and involvement within the government, recognising that we can’t view business in isolation.”
Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq, outlined the authority’s efforts in integrating sustainability into tourism and
hospitality projects, promoting economic growth and environmental conservation, saying: “At Shurooq, we champion Sharjah’s
sustainability goals, believing they are central to our emirate’s future. Our cultural conservation efforts preserve heritage while
meeting modern tourism demands, and with tourism playing a significant role in Sharjah’s economy and experiencing steady
growth in hotel guests, sustainable tourism has proven to be a key driver of economic diversification.
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, discussed the emirate’s initiatives in attracting industrial
investments, providing businesses with a supportive ecosystem and competitive advantages. “Sharjah’s manufacturing
journey began in the 1970s and has grown into a thriving ecosystem, with manufacturing now the second-largest contributor
to our GDP. Our emirate has 20 industrial areas, 7 free zones, and over 2,900 factories, attracting significant investments
within the manufacturing sector, notably AED 826.4 million in 2024 alone. Recent investments, including three new

pharmaceutical factories worth AED 308.7 million; a AED 50 million investment from global glass manufacturer PureGlass;
and AED 40 million by IPT Energy; as examples, shows Sharjah’s appeal as well as our commitment to innovation and
growth.”
Commenting on the support of entrepreneurs and fostering innovation, Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, highlighted
Sheraa’s role in enhancing the startup ecosystem in Sharjah. “The Ramadan Majlis is a yearly reminder of Sharjah’s
commitment to shaping the future through innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. As we gather again, we celebrate
our ecosystem’s progress and the entrepreneurs’ boundless potential to drive meaningful change. At Sheraa, we remain
committed to empowering these changemakers and providing them with the support, resources, and community they need to
scale their impact. Together, we continue to build a future where Sharjah is a global hub for talent, opportunity, and
sustainable growth.”
Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTI Park, explained how the park facilitates collaboration between research institutions and
the private sector to drive industrial innovation and build a knowledge-based economy. He stated: “SRTI Park is a platform
where collaboration is the foundation of progress. Partnership sits at the core of our mission where we bridge institutions and
companies in the private sector by aligning R&D, skills, resources, and vision to empower industrial innovation. By fostering
synergies between cutting-edge research and market-driven enterprises, we facilitate scalable solutions that transform ideas
into economic value.”
As part of the Majlis, an MoU was signed between Invest in Sharjah and SRTI Park by Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh and
Hussain Al Mahmoudi respectively, and included the launch of the ‘Innovate in Sharjah’ platform, a centralised digital gateway

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