Economy

Global credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s has lowered its long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on the Emirate of Sharjah from ‘A/A-1’ to ‘BBB+/A-2’ with a stable outlook. The agency attributed the change largely to an increase in government debt and slower than expected fiscal consolidation. S&P also forecasts faster economic growth in 2017, increasing ...

H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah has approved the master plan for Sharjah Healthcare City, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). First announced in 2010, the development is planned to be one of the largest healthcare centres in the Middle East covering an area of 2.43 million square metres (26 ...

This week’s Sharjah Forum brought together 150 decision makers from key government departments to discuss the emirate’s economy, economic development and strategies to attract continued foreign direct investment (FDI). Organised for the second time by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), the forum was hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Sharjah ...

The latest annual credit analysis from Moody’s Investors Service, which rates Sharjah’s government at an A3 long-term credit rating with a stable outlook, reports that the emirate’s debt burden and debt affordability remain low and compare well with its peers, despite the economic pressures on fiscal metrics. Moody’s also expects the emirate’s nominal GDP growth to remain firmly in positive ...

By H.E.  Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi As part of Shurooq’s ongoing efforts, I undertake many overseas travels to present the emirate of Sharjah as a lucrative investment and business destination. As I network with commercial leaders and global investors from around the world, I often see myself pausing to put myself in their position, asking myself the most important ...

Sharjah’s unique position as a gateway for international business expansion was the topic under discussion at a key panel event held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, which took place at the opening of the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Forum (Sharjah FDI Forum 2016), ...

Global investors, FDI experts, multinational corporations and government officials will gather in Sharjah next week to discuss foreign direct investment, the global economy and investment opportunities in the UAE. Sharjah’s second global FDI conference, which takes place from 28 – 29 September at Al Jawaher Convention Centre, boasts an ambitious agenda addressing global, regional and local investment issues. After a ...

September’s Sharjah FDI Forum will zoom in on the importance of global trade and connectedness for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With one of the most diversified economies in the region, Sharjah is home to more than 45,000 SMEs and the government has identified SMEs are a key pillar for the emirate’s economic growth. SMEs have been recognised as critical ...

Sharjah’s economy and the success of its economic development strategies are expected to take centre stage at Sharjah FDI Forum, which takes place 28-29 September 2016 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. This is the second time in three years that Sharjah has hosted a global ...

Standard & Poor’s has revised its credit ratings outlook from ‘stable’ to ‘negative’, whilst re-affirming the emirate’s A/A-1 sovereign credit ratings for long- and short-term, foreign and local currency. According to S&P, the negative outlook speaks to the potential risk that external demand and economic activity in Sharjah may weaken. However, the global credit rating agency noted that it expects ...