His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has attended a business meeting organised by the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah in Cologne City, Germany, which brought together representatives of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and leaders and businessmen in Cologne.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) was also present.
At the beginning of the meeting, which took place on Friday, H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan recorded a speech in the Golden Register of the Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and souvenirs were exchanged between the two parties.
He expressed his happiness on convening meetings that allow for businessmen in Germany in general, and Cologne, in particular, to identify investment opportunities and business potential in the emirate of Sharjah, wishing success for both sides.
Among others present were Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations, Sheikha Nawar bint Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, PR and Communications Officer at the Sharjah Art Foundation, Juma Mubarak Al Junaibi, U.A.E. Ambassador to Germany, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Department of Culture and Information, Abdullah bin Sultan Al Owais Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a number of SCCI board's members, Ulf Reichardt, Executive Director of the Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hussein Al Mahmoudi, Director General of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Obaid Al Zugabi, Director General of Sharjah Protocol Department, Marwan Al Serkal, CEO of Shurooq and representatives of both parties and main economic sectors in Cologne.
In his speech, Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah, said that the Emirate, under the leadership of the Ruler of Sharjah, depends on comprehensive and sustainable visions for development. He invited businessmen and investors in Cologne to tap into the available opportunities in the Emirate and to embark on joint ventures in the areas of aviation, education, healthcare, and media that would serve the interests of all parties.
He said that economic development and preserving social identity and values are among the major challenges of globalisation in contemporary life. Sheikh Fahim added that this challenge can only be overcome through sustainable development based on a tripartite basis: economy, education, and culture. He noted that Sharjah and Cologne share many similarities in many areas and have many joint ventures. "We are looking forward to open new channels and build new partnerships," he said.
He clarified that Sharjah Government focuses on encouraging good investment and strengthening SMEs as the main driver of economic growth. As Sharjah's growth rate exceeded 9 per cent in the last six years, the Emirate will continue offering more support and facilities that will attract more investment.
Hussein Al Mahmoudi, Director General of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presented the efforts being exerted by the SCCI in providing an investor-friendly climate and offering the best logistic services to their business, highlighting the most important activities organised by the chamber to help develop business and industrial activities in the emirate.
Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, presented an overview about Shurooq, its mandate, the business environment in the Emirate and the competitive advantages given to investors. He highlighted the main investment sectors identified as areas of potential growth in the Emirate, namely travel and tourism, logistics, environment and healthcare sectors.
Al Sarkal said, "Under the directives of the Ruler of Sharjah, and with the follow-up and supervision of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Shurooq, the Authority is striving to support investment in Sharjah by promoting the Emirate's potentials, activating partnerships with investment bodies all over the world, and developing a host of world-class tourism destinations." He highlighted the major projects developed and underway by Shurooq, including the Al Jabal Resort – The Chedi Khorfakkan, Sir Bu Nuair Island, the Heart of Sharjah development, Al Bait Hotel, Al Majaz Waterfront, Flag Island, Kalba Ecotourism project, Al Montazah and Al Hisn Island, noting that each of these projects has been deliberately developed to simulate the local economy and encourage foreign investors to leverage the current growth in the leisure and tourism sector.
Shurooq's CEO also elaborated on the A3 credit rating assigned to Sharjah by Moody's Investors Service, which establishes Sharjah within the top tier of sovereigns globally and supports investment opportunities in all sectors in the Emirate.
In conclusion, attendees of the business meeting between Sharjah and Cologne City were invited to a luncheon in honour of the Ruler of Sharjah