The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) has underlined its keenness on the constant coordination with the private sector to support its activities in the Emirate of Sharjah in general and in the eastern and central regions in particular through the efforts of the branches of the SCCI in these cities and to create an enabling environment to enhance the private sector’s role in the domestic economy, in light of the consequences of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

This was stated during the recently held virtual meeting between the directors of the SCCI’s branches in the eastern and central regions.

Headed by Khalil Muhammad Al Mansoori, Director of the SCCI Branch Management, in the presence of Sultan Obaid Al Zaabi, Director of SCCI Branch in Kalba, Mohammed Musabeh Al-Tunaiji, Director of the SCCI Branch in Al Dhaid, and Mohamed Ahmed Al Darmaki, Director of the SCCI Branch in Khor Fakkan, the meeting discussed the operational plan for the year 2020 given the current circumstances, the events and the programs that will be postponed for the health and safety of society, and the work achieved during Q1 2020.

Khalil Al Mansoori said: “This meeting is held in accordance with the directives of Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, the SCCI’s Chairman, to provide the best services for the private sector in the eastern and central regions and to enhance the competitiveness of business environment in the current circumstances. This would help consolidate the SCCI’s role as a representative and advocate for the interests of the business community in Sharjah.”

The meeting also aimed at following up on the implementation of the recently adopted stimulus package by the Sharjah government to support the interests of the government and private institutions, business sectors, including the seven initiatives of the SCCI which featured the exemption of the participating stores from the Central and Eastern Regions (Al Dhaid - Kalba - Khorfakkan - Dibba) from participation fees in the marketing campaigns organised by the SCCI for the year 2020.

Al Mansoori emphasized the importance of holding such meetings, under the follow up of the SCCI’s Director-General, to learn closely about the latest updates and to come up with initiatives serving the business community, as well as to find the mechanisms for the implementation of operational plans and programs in line with the SCCI’s strategy aimed at fostering the trade movement to meet the aspirations of economic institutions.

Furthermore, the meeting shed light on the measures taken by the SCCI’s branches to battle the spread of COVID-19 such as the remote work system and the daily sterilization of the buildings, in addition to expanding the scope of the electronic services through the website or the smart apps and spotting to what extent the SCCI customers are using such tools.

Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry was established by an Amiri decree issued in 1970 by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in order to effectively and vitally participate in the organisation of economic life and the prosperity of its trade, industry and professions sectors on all levels and in cooperation with the concerned establishments and bodies and local departments.

Thus, the chamber is keen to include in its membership all the companies and establishments practicing economic activity in the emirate whether it is trade, industries or professions. It has been obligatory for the chamber to follow the economic and civilisational development witnessed by United Arab Emirates a matter that naturally requires change on the different services and activities of the chamber. The law No (1) of the year 1980 organizing the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry was issued too include the articles of association and the legal rules and provisions drawing the chamber’s ambitious objects and set the means for its achievement through administrative and executive body having positions according to responsibilities.

In 2003 the chamber witnessed quantum and qualitative leap represented in His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah issuing a new law organising the chamber and giving it wider fields and bigger jurisdictions in order to continue its route with positive contribution in all fields of economy and investment and to serve the community as a whole.

In 2007 the chamber’s new organisational chart was approved and an administrative and executive body was set with positions as per the responsibilities, duties and the nature of services, activities and jurisdictions in the departments, offices and sections in a manner coinciding with the new economic boom.