Shurooq holds Sharjah – CEO Clubs Business roundtable

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) successfully organized the Sharjah – CEO Clubs Business roundtable, bringing together leaders in the business community to explore how the Emirate can continue to improve its standing as an international business destination.

The purpose of the roundtable was to invite Sharjah’s business leaders to identify and discuss the steps that could be taken to facilitate investment into the Emirate, overcome potential obstacles, and ultimately build a strong, stable and sustainable investment platform that creates opportunities for a better tomorrow.

Hussain Mohammed Al Mahmoud, Director General of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry opened the proceedings by highlighting the investment, infrastructure and industrial progress achieved in Sharjah in recent years, he continued to detail the global attention the Emirate is experiencing as a prime investment destination, and commended the diversity of economic activity taking place.

The panel comprised of HE Dr Abdul Aziz Al Muhairi, Director Sharjah Health Authority, Raed Bukhatir, Deputy Commercial Director at Sharjah Airport International Free Zone ( SAIF Zone ), Mr Mohamed Al Hosani – Director of Sales and New Product Development – Bee`ah, Mr Mohamed Juma Al Musharrakh Head of Investment Promotion division ( Shurooq ),Mr Abdel Aziz Shattaf – Head of Economic Promotion- Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) , and HE Dr Tariq Ahmed Nizam, Founder & CEO of CEO Clubs Network Worldwide, who delivered a speech and was also the panel moderator. The roundtable was followed by a Q&A session with members of the audience.

HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq , said: This roundtable was a special opportunity to bring Sharjah’s business community together under one roof to explore our Emirate’s future as an investment destination. There are already many ways in which Sharjah has distinguished itself as an attractive business destination: through its diverse economy, world class connectivity infrastructure, and numerous investment incentives, to name just a few. But as Sharjah grows, the demands on its infrastructure, its community services and its business environment grow with it. It is vital we meet these challenges, which is why this roundtable with CEO Clubs – a leading organisation worldwide – was so important. Going forward, we will continue to prioritise events which produce fruitful discussions in these areas”.

The panel discussion focused on a wide range of key topics related to the long term growth and success of Sharjah and highlighted the key incentives that continue to attract large scale international investment across every sector. The distinguished panel guests keenly shared their thoughts and opinions on development issues in the emirate, including health care, waste management and tourism and provided up-to-date analysis for investors.

The focus of the speech from H.E Dr. Tariq Ahmed Nizami, Founder and CEO of CEO Clubs Network Worldwide, highlighted the potential for investment in Sharjah, and focused on the strategies in place to facilitate continued development in the emirate. Raed A Bukhatir, Deputy Commercial Director at Saif Zone Sharjah, spoke about the benefits of investing in Sharjah, referencing the large number of sectors that are now well established, and the excellent logistics currently supporting large scale investment in the emirate. Mohammed Juma Al Musharrkh, Head of Investment and Promotion atShurooq commented on the role of Shurooq in facilitating investment, he detailed the services offered to investors, including the successful efforts to reduce bureaucracy for efficiency, and the excellent advice and support provided at every step of the way to maximise all opportunities.

Discussing the future vision of the emirate, HE Dr Abdul Aziz Al Muhairi, Director at Sharjah Health Authority highlighted the mix of public and private sector care accomplishments and drew attention to the latest studies indicating further demand for health care sector investment, noting the recent successes including University Hospital Sharjah and the attached world-leading research centre. Mohammed Al Hosani, Director of Sales and New Product Development at Bee’ah responded to questions regarding future waste management in Sharjah by discussing the range of environmental services available to all investors located in the Emirate and the environment company’s willingness to support all businesses in their progress. Additionally, Abdel Aziz Mohammed Shattaf, Head of Economic Promotion at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry brought attention to exceptional facilities offered in Sharjah and the current expansion underway to keep pace with growing demand.

At the end of the roundtable H.E Marwan bin Jasim Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq remarked that the main objective of the Business Round Table event today was networking, and that the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of Sharjah was the key concern for everyone.

Shurooq ‘s key mission is to provide facilities and incentives to help overcome obstacles facing investment activities in Sharjah, evaluate 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 – and 2014 FDI Agency of the Year in the MENA region at the European’s Global Banking and Finance Awards.

CEO Clubs Worldwide has been the world’s largest business networking club for over three decades, allowing its exclusive members and guests to connect with over 13,000 CEOs and high-level executives across the globe.

(Press Release)