The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) recently held its 8th annual meeting, attended by SEDD Director General H.E. Ali bin Salem Al Mahmoud, and Department officials, managers and employees. Al Mahmoud started the meeting with a speech detailing the Department's achievements in 2009, and praising employees for the success achieved last year.
Al Mahmoud explained that the excellent results achieved by SEDD in 2009 could be attributed to the wise guidance of H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the unstinting support of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and SEDD Executive Chairman, in providing the perfect work environment for investors and businessmen, attracting foreign capital, facilitating official paperwork, and completing transactions in a timely fashion.
He went on to talk about the role played by SEDD and its divisions in bolstering competitiveness and professional standards, as well as the Department's commitment to supporting Sharjah's economic growth through the implementation of new systems, the organising of the Economic Cities Forum, supporting partnerships with the private sector, the signing of new agreements, and the application of new techniques at Al Thaid and Kalba' divisions.
Al Mahmoud added that SEDD employees' performance in facilitating transactions with a wide range of clients has greatly contributed to increasing growth and investment rates in the emirate of Sharjah. Other matters he discussed included SEDD accomplishments regarding issuing and renewing licenses, market monitoring, and combating commercial counterfeiting through inspection visits.
Al Mahmoud praised the amount of research done and the number of studies conducted (38 in total, including 8 partial studies, 8 studies on Sharjah's economic sectors, and 13 general studies). Said Al Mahmoud, "It is only possible to achieve success if there is a strong functional infrastructure in place, which in turn requires us to exchange views and opinions and listen to constructive suggestions that aim to increase growth rates and push the economic wheel forward. We are proud to list employees' achievements, and we appreciate their hard work. SEDD employees have shown commitment to continuing with their dedicated work and we appreciate the important role they play in overcoming challenges and achieving SEDD's goals in both the short and long terms."
He also praised those employees responsible for the launch of the new licensing system, which allowed for a total of 49,476 licences to be issued - 4,428 new licenses and 45,048 renewed licences - in addition to 1,148 promotion licences and 891 licences related to the organization of shows and festivals.
Al Mahmoud touched upon the role of the media in highlighting the Department's numerous achievements and strengthening relationships among SEDD employees. According to Nawal Askar, Head of SEDD's Economic and Public Relations, the SEDD media team played an important role in the success of the strategies put into effect by SEDD by shedding light on these strategies, which increased media activity by 44 percent as the SEDD media team opened new channels of connection with various establishments and institutions in the emirate. He reiterated that the SEDD media team's main focus is to make Sharjah one of the leading investment-attracting areas in the UAE and the region.
At the end of the meeting, Al Mahmoud praised the sponsors' role in supporting the celebration, saying that through such actions they "contribute to the social responsibility of private sector establishments towards society," and presented them with the SEDD emblem. The sponsors - including Damas, Al Maya Group and Fursan Al Emarat - handed out gifts to the employees.
Al Mahmoud presented those employees with over 15 years' at SEDD with awards for dedication to work, and also handed out awards for the best employee(s) of 2009, as well as appreciation awards for the SEDD Licences team, the Economic Cities Forum team, the Quality Control team and the Internal Inspection team.
In closing, Al Mahmoud thanked SEDD's senior and management staff, and praised their dedication to their work and the role they play in supporting the Department's reputation and role in enhancing economic performance and to be on par with other government establishments. In turn, SEDD employees expressed their commitment to the added responsibility and SEDD goals which aim at enhancing experiences and to achieve the highest international modern scientific, technical and professional standards.
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For further information, please contact:
Mustafa Al Khafaf
SAHARA Communications
Tel: +971 4 3298996
E-mail: mustafa@saharagcc.com
© Press Release 2010
