(MENAFNEditorial) The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has concluded its participation in the 4th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2014, which took place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
The three-day B2B event – an initiative of the Ministry of Economy – was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai
Speaking on the occasion, HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) said: "The Annual Investment Meeting is one of the major events that targets FDI in emerging market with the aim of helping corporate and individual investors make informed decisions about future investment opportunities in high growth regions as well as in sectors identified as major areas of potential growth. Shurooq made use of this excellent platform by engaging with visitors at our stand, and participating in by attending a variety of inspiring addresses and presentations, in addition to conducting a series of high-level meetings with high profile government officials, private asset owners and project promoters from across the globe.
On the second day of AIM, Al Sarkal participated in the plenary session titled: "Best Practices in Attracting Investment from Emerging Markets, Selected Case Studies", which was moderated by Andreas Dressler, Managing Director Terrain Global, Berlin-Germany.
In line with its strategy and ongoing efforts to make use of all domestic and foreign B2B events, the Shurooq delegation conducted a series of meetings with leading business, economic, and trade organisations and businessmen from a number of participating nations to discuss the available investment opportunities in Sharjah, and familiarise potential investors with the various policies and initiatives made available to foreign investors by Sharjah's government
On the first day of the forum, the Shurooq delegation met with Rok Hudnik, owner of real estate agency Roni Nepremicnine, Ahmed Elhousseiny, Marketing Development Director, Akram Al Youssi, Managing Director of Upside Capital, and Saloua Dlimi, Marketing Manager at Moroccan South Agency
Shurooq's Stand attracted high levels of interest and widespread acclaim from dignitaries and VIP's visiting the Authority's, including HE Egor Borisov, President of the Sakha Republic, Russian Republic, and Li Geng Jian, Vice-Mayor,the People's Government of Shantou City
On the forum's second day, the delegation met with Francois Nogrix, Sales/Business Development at BIGNON, Imambee Shaikh, Founder and Partner at Al Kamil Consultancy, Irakli Ksovreli, Group CIO of Aversi, and Hussien Adnan, Economic Advisor at Marsabit County
Elaborating on these B2B meetings, Shurooq CEO said, "We highlighted UAE efforts to attract investors via its competitive facilities and incentives across different sectors with the aim of accelerating the process of economic diversification, with an emphasis on Sharjah as the most diversified economy in the region." In this regard, he went on to say, "Sharjah does not rely on one particular economic resource and is constantly striving to diversify to ensure sustainable welfare and prosperity for citizens and residents."
During these meetings, Shurooq highlighted the current state of Sharjah's key sectors identified by Shurooq as major areas of potential growth, including travel and tourism, environment, healthcare, and transport and logistics. The Authority also showcased the existing investment and business opportunities for those seeking to invest in Sharjah, with a main focus on the facilities and incentives provided by Sharjah Government and Shurooq in support of foreign investment in the Emirate
Shurooq further made use of the opportunity to showcase projects undertaken by Shurooq. These include Al Qasba, Al Majaz Waterfront, the Flag Island, Al Montazah Amusement and Water Park, the Heart of Sharjah, Al Bait Hotel, Al Jabal Resort, The Chedi Khorfakkan, Kalba Eco-tourism Project, as well as other leading projects which have contributed significantly to developing the country's economy by attracting top investors, businessmen and international corporations, and boosting domestic and inbound tourism
Shurooq's stand includes a number of Sharjah's government authorities and departments, namely the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharjah Economic Development Department, Sharjah Healthcare City and Hamriyah Free Zone Authority, which are participating in AIM 2014 in cooperation with the Authority, to promote investment opportunities in their respective sectors
HE Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Director General of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), said, "AIM is a major global event, in which different countries are participating, and allows participants to promote their benefit from its huge investment and promotion opportunities. The Chamber participated in this event to highlight Sharjah's economic status and the strength of its private sector, as well as to showcase the Emirate's business and investment potential.
Emphasizing Sharjah's strength as an economic centre, Samar Al Bardan, Head of commercial legal section at the Economic Development Department, said, "Sharjah has the most diversified economy in the region with no single sector contributing more than 20% of the emirate's GDP. Sharjah is the UAE's industrial powerhouse as it is home to almost one third of industrial activities in the country, powered by durability of the SME sector, which consists of about 45,000 strong and effective companies, making Sharjah an excellent competitive investment destination"
Speaking about Sharjah's logistics sector, Saud Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Director of Commercial Affairs at Hamriyah Free Zone Authority, underlined Sharjah's unrivalled strategic location, its direct access to three ports and both the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, and its well-developed air transport and cargo capabilities that allow the authority to offer foreign investors and businesses an ideal environment to base their operations in the Gulf Region.
Concluding, Mr Binu Pisharadi, Commercial Affairs Manager of Sharjah Healthcare City (SHCC), said, "We participated to meet investors from all around the world and to explore healthcare avenues of cooperation. Through AIM we explored opportunities with the international investors exhibiting and visiting that are expecting to find their way to the UAE and the region. We also showcased the best investment opportunities that HCC Sharjah can offer across the broad spectrum of healthcare and have met a number of investors from whom we have received positive feedback about the project and its attractive regulations.
Established in 2009, Shurooq strives to encourage investment in the emirate of Sharjah by adopting the best international standards in providing quality services that help attract investors from the region and the world
Shurooq's key mission is to provide facilities and incentives to help overcome obstacles facing investment activities in the Emirate, evaluate tourism and investment related infrastructure projects, and lay down the necessary plans to complete such projects
In recognition of its overall accomplishments, Shurooq was named The Banking Awards 2013 - FDI Agency of the Year in the MENA region, in The European's Global Banking and Finance Awards.
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