Sharjah Chamber emphasizes role of sectoral business groups in developing private sector

Sharjah: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) held this Wednesday the first introductory meeting which comprised the Construction & Engineering Consultancy Sector, Real Estate Sector and Industry Sector.

Present at the meeting were HE Waleed Abdul Rahman Bu Khatir, Second Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), HE Ziad Mohammed Khairallah Al-Hajji, HE Dr. Sultan Al Mulla, HE Nasser Ahmed Al Tunaiji, members of SCCI’s Board of Directors.

The meeting was also attended by HE Mohamed Ahmed Amin, SCCI’s Director-General, Saeed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Representative Committee of the Real Estate Sector Business Group, Lalu Samuel, Chairman of the Representative Committee of the Industry Sector, in addition to a number of businessmen, representatives of the economic sectors of construction and engineering consultancy sectors in Sharjah.

The meeting focused on exploring means of cooperation between the said sectors, as well as showcasing the challenges and how to overcome them, in addition to discussing investment opportunities of the local product in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The Significance of Sectoral Groups Role

In his opening speech, HE Waleed Abdul Rahman Bu Khatir, Second Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), said: “The SCCI was keen to organize such a meeting, which brings together the business groups of industry and real estate sectors, in order to emphasize the essential role of those groups.”

Bu Khatir underscored that the sectoral business groups are a key partner in developing the private sector and realizing the main objectives of the Emirate of Sharjah’s developmental plans and the country as well.

“These groups are acting as a focal point between the SCCI and the various sectors with a view to developing work mechanisms through the regular discussion of positives and challenges facing the real estate and industrial sectors at all levels. Our meeting will also serve to highlight the joint work opportunities between these sectors, via introducing the services and products provided by our local companies. This would help to build up various partnerships between these companies to realize the economic development,” added Bu Khatir.

He further continued: “As a representative of the private sector, the SCCI is always keen on providing businesses attractive environment and offering support in its fullest sense for these sectors, so as to enhance their attractiveness, competitiveness and fulfill client expectations. We are eager that these groups will be the most effective method for communication with the business sector, the SCCI, and the public sector. This will contribute to confronting challenges and utilizing opportunities in establishing an integrated structure that meets the aspirations of the economic sectors and bolsters the efforts of achieving sustainable development.”

Addressing the Aspirations of the SCCI Members

For his part, H.E. Mohamed Ahmed Amin, SCCI’s Director-General, said: “In order to achieve the sustainable economic development, promote investments and address the aspirations of the SCCI members, we have to enhance the joint work between public and private sector. This would bolster the comprehensive development journey through the continuation of providing advice, launching effective initiatives and participating in organizing diversified events and programs with the support of the SCCI.”

Amin expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of business groups and for the proposals and initiatives they present which help enable the SCCI to keep up its role in serving the private sector. These initiatives also reinforce the business environment in the Emirate of Sharjah, so as to positively affect the Emirate’s economy.

The SCCI’s Director-General commended the cooperation of government authorities’ representatives, as permanent members of these business groups. This cooperation has formed a value-added that helped facilitate the work efforts and tackle the challenges facing the companies working in the Emirate of Sharjah.

“Organizing the real estate investment exhibition (ACRES) annually and strengthening the cooperation with competent authorities to rise up the real estate sector was one of the most prominent outcomes of this joint work,” Amin noted

2800 Industrial Units

In turn, Lalu Samuel, Chairman of the Representative Committee of the Industry Sector, showcased a brief presentation on the industrial sector in the Emirate of Sharjah, through which, he revealed that this sector is the largest among different Emirates of the country.

“The industrial sectors represent 45% of the total industries of the UAE at a rate of 2800 industrial units and 21 industrial areas. The Emirate of Sharjah is exporting its products to more than 120 countries around the world. In addition, the industrial sector is witnessing considerable diversity to meet consumer needs. Among these products are (oil, plastic, furniture, foodstuff, electrical tools, concrete materials, water pipes, fabric). All these industries are accredited by international bodies and conform to international standards and specifications,” said Samuel.

He enumerated the unique advantages of the Emirate of Sharjah, including the distinguished geographical location in terms of its proximity to the important ports and airports, as well as the workforce availability. These advantages have made the Emirate of Sharjah an outstanding industrial environment which attracted the major international companies.

Samuel further elaborated: “We can’t overlook the efforts exerted by the Sharjah Government in terms of providing superb services for investors. These efforts had a great impact on driving development and making the industrial sector one of the prominent sectors locally and globally.”

Sustainable Economy

For his part, Saeed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Representative Committee of the Real Estate Sector Business Group, thanked the SCCI for organizing such meeting, stressing that all sectors gathered today are in the same boat to reinforce these two important sectors.

Al Suwaidi added: “Construction & Engineering Consultancy Sector and Real Estate Sector & Industry Sector are considered the lifeline of a sustainable economy in the Emirate of Sharjah. Therefore, we all have to unify our efforts and work on launching effective initiatives that contribute to further linking both sectors together.”

“The Representative Committee of the Real Estate Sector Business Group has spared no effort to bolster the private sector, by maintaining the standing communication channels between them and government sector institutions to address hurdles and find solutions for all challenges they face,” he noted.

Open discussions were held, where the heads of business groups and representatives of the private companies reviewed the most previously prominent achievements, in addition to introducing their upcoming plans and the significant challenges facing their sectors.

The heads of business groups expressed their thanks to the SCCI for its constant support for the entire business community, lauding the role of various department representatives and competent government authorities.

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© Press Release 2019