Meeting was held on the sidelines of the Sharjah delegation's visit to the UAE Pavilion at Expo Milano

Sharjah, June 23rd, 2015,

HE Hussein Mohammed Al Mahmoudi, Director General of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and HE Marwan Al Naqbi, Diplomatic Attaché in the Economic Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Held a meeting with the Mayor of Turin Piero Fassino recently, on the sidelines of Shurooq's participation in the 9th World Chambers Congress in Turin, Italy, and the Shurooq delegation's visit to the UAE pavilion at Expo Milano 2015.  

The visit aimed to explore possible cooperation between the emirate of Sharjah and Turin, mainly in the cultural, tourism and industrial fields, as these three sectors are areas of common interest between Sharjah and Turin. The two sides discussed carrying out a number of joint ventures, introducing the available investment opportunities in Sharjah and Turin to investors in both cities and the use of the emirate's ports and free zones to re-export Italian products to the region and the beyond.  

Commenting on the visit, HE Hussein Mohammed Al Mahmoudi said, "Sharjah has many attractive features for investors in various commercial and industrial sectors. It is important to take advantage of our participation in foreign visits to highlight these features as well as the facilities offered by the emirate's global companies.  This is particularly relevant to those who are looking to expand overseas and take advantage of the opportunities the regional and international markets provide, depending on the infrastructure available in the Ports and Free Zones in Sharjah."

HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal said: "The UAE and Italy share notable economic and cultural ties under the directives of the leadership in both countries, and a willingness to develop these relations to a higher level in all areas. Sharjah shares many common features with Turin, mainly in terms of the cultural, commercial, industrial and tourism presence of the two cities, and being favoured locations for major investors and international firms".

Al Sarkal remarked, "During our visit to Turin, we discussed ways of cooperation and highlighted the emirate's unique advantages such as state-of-the-art infrastructure, a rapidly growing economy, a flexible and diverse business environment, and government support of various economic sectors. Our systematic government incentives and facilities aim to establish flexible and solid legislative framework and to build a safe, robust and investor-friendly business environment in the emirate. We are delighted with the interest shown by the Mayor of Turin as well as by many key organisations in the city."

Piero Fassino welcomed the Sharjah delegation to his city, which is known for its rich history, various industries, and a culture of tolerance. He stressed that the collaboration between Sharjah and Turin will contribute to supporting the commercial, cultural and tourism activities between the two sides, particularly as many Italian companies are planning to expand into the UAE and GCC markets. He underlined the importance of a focus on cultural cooperation and on organising mutual activities, in addition to frequent delegation visits that promote the two cities and their attractions, and highlight investment opportunities in Sharjah and Turin.  The delegation also visited the Turin Chamber of Commerce.

Located in Northwest Italy, Turin is one of the richest cultural centres in Europe, and is renowned for its numerous cultural and historical landmarks, including the largest library in Italy and more than 45 museums, most notably the Egyptian Museum and Mole Antonelliana. Turin is home to some of Italy's oldest universities and opera houses, and serves as the headquarters of automobile manufacturers Alfa Romeo, Lancia and FIAT. It is also home to Juventus Football Club and is a favourite destination for winter sport lovers around the world.

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. Most recently, the authority was named Top Investment Promotion Agency at the 2015 Best to Invest Award by Site Selection Magazine.

-Ends-

For More Information please don't hesitate to contact us:
Shurooq
Aya Mohamad Sarraj
a.sarraj@shurooq.gov.ae
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Wafa Ahmad
SHARA Communications
Wafa@saharagcc.com
0569474164 

© Press Release 2015