Sharjah, Feb 15th, 2009 (WAM)--Emirates Industrial Cities (EIC), which owns the Emirates Industrial City in Sajaa - Sharjah, has announced its sponsorship of the Economic and Industrial Cities Forum, due to be held in Sharjah between April 26 to 27, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
The sponsorship was announced during a press conference held at Sharjah Economic Regulation Authority headquarters, followed by the announcement of a strategic partnership between "Emirates Industrial Cities" (EIC), and the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD). Commenting on the partnership, Al Sheikh Abdullah bin Fahid Al Shakrah, Al Hanoo Holding and EIC Chairman, said "The Government of Sharjah has always been known for its progressive vision and its support of the industrial sector, always seeking to raise growth and development levels, and looking to use the role of industrial cities to establish a healthy and strong economy. "The partnership with the SEDD comes as a token of appreciation for the Departments experienced staff and for the continuous efforts made by the Department to increase growth rates in the emirate of Sharjah. We firmly believe the collaboration between the private and the government sector is needed to build a solid economy", added Al Shakrah. The SEDD held a press conference at its headquarters to announce the launch of the Economic and Industrial Cities Forum. The press conference was attended by numerous government officials, VIPs and industrial investment enthusiasts. During the conference, Al Shakrah and HE Ali bin Salem Al Mahmoud, the Authoritys General Manager of the SEDD, and Vice Director General of Al Iktissad Wal Aamal Group, highlighted several facts about the importance of holding this Forum at this particular time, given that 35 free zones are distributed among 13 Arab countries, in addition to the growing number of economic and industrial cities. Furthermore, steps have been taken in 2008 to form an Arab union for free zones that aims at the collaboration and coordination between these free zones. Holding of the forum in Sharjah will highlight 8 per cent growth rate registered by the industrial firms at the end of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, raising the number of industrial companies, which joined industrial investment by 90, to 1210 companies in the emirate of Sharjah. Meanwhile, the industrial investments surged in Sharjah emirate by 6. 2 per cent to AED 249 million at the end of 2008 compared to previous periods. Numerous officials, economic policy makers, experts, investors, bankers and businessmen from GCC countries and the rest of the Arab World are expected to participate in the Economic and Industrial Cities Forum, along with other Arab funding establishments and interested international authorities and institutions.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2009.
