The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Monday hosted the “Sharjah-Albania Business Forum” to discuss ways to boost business relations and increase trade exchange.

Held at the SCCI’s headquarters, the forum delved into cooperation prospects, joint investment opportunities, and strategies to strengthen trade ties and bilateral partnerships between the Sharjah and Albanian business communities across various economic sectors.

The forum followed a visit by a delegation of Albanian businessmen and investors, aligning with the SCCI’s strategy to highlight Sharjah’s economic potential and cultivate strong business alliances.

Taking part in the forum were Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al-Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, and Antonio Rotondo, Chairman of CCIRC International Chamber, as well as Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector in SCCI.

Also present were a number of Albanian and Emirati entrepreneurs representing prominent corporations and business entities in different key sectors, including commerce, food, and industry, alongside other officials.

The forum delved into the possibilities and opportunities available for businessmen from Sharjah and Albania, aiming to foster enhanced partnerships and coordination. It provided a platform for investors and businessmen to exchange information, explore cooperation areas, and improve the investment climate in both countries, thereby paving the way for new business ventures.

The visiting Albanian delegation featured representatives from various specialised companies operating in key strategic sectors, including food, building materials, oil and gas, healthcare, window and door manufacturing, interior decoration design, travel and tourism, furniture, and cosmetics trading.

Welcoming the Albanian delegation, Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi expressed hope that the forum would contribute to bolstering economic and trade ties and promoting investment opportunities in both Sharjah and Albania’s business communities. He noted that such gatherings facilitate knowledge exchange and partnership exploration across various domains.

Highlighting the exponential growth in economic and trade relations between the UAE and Albania since the signing of the Economic Cooperation Agreement in 2020, Al Shamsi emphasised that the chamber is committed to enriching the existing close ties between Sharjah and Albania.

He noted that the diverse representation of the Albanian delegation across various economic and trade sectors enhances the forum’s potential to serve as a direct mechanism for fostering cooperation. This includes facilitating joint projects, expanding trade exchanges, promoting reciprocal visits and knowledge sharing, establishing leading partnerships in various economic fields, and contributing to the continuous growth of bilateral relations between the UAE and Albania.

For his part, Antonio Rotondo commended the Sharjah Chamber for its role in organising the forum, highlighting its significant contribution to bolstering Albania-UAE bilateral relations and fostering stronger business ties between Albania and Sharjah specifically.

He noted that the Albanian business community takes particular interest in Sharjah, recognising it as a pivotal economic and commercial hub in the region.

Rotondo emphasised that ongoing coordination and communication between the two business communities are essential for meeting investors’ needs, thereby reinforcing the Albanian-Emirati economic partnership.

He highlighted the importance of leveraging the diverse opportunities available and enhancing economic, trade, and investment cooperation, capitalising on the favorable investment environments of Albania and Sharjah.

Additionally, he emphasised that there is a wide range of investment prospects across various sectors, including energy, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing, that can be harnessed to boost both sides’ business ties.

The forum featured productive bilateral business meetings, providing valuable insights into Sharjah’s economic developments and investor-friendly incentives for the Albanian delegates.

It also offered a glimpse into Sharjah’s thriving tourism sector, highlighting the emirate’s tourist potential, attractions, and promising future investment prospects across various industries and sectors.

Concluding their visit, the Albanian delegation toured the SCCI’s permanent exhibition, where they spoke highly of the quality of local industrial products. They described the exhibition as an ideal platform and effective avenue for product promotion and business networking, creating opportunities for cooperation between companies and representatives from trade delegations.

Meanwhile, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has engaged recently in talks with business delegations from the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation to enhance investment cooperation in the agricultural sector.

The discussions took place on the sidelines of a business meeting between Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, and Madis Kallas, Minister of Regional Affairs of the Republic of Estonia.

During the meeting held at the SCCI’s headquarters, the chamber discussed with the visiting delegation ways to identify joint work areas and boost communication among the business communities of Sharjah and Estonia.

They also discussed how to make the most of mutual expertise and exchange experience, thereby ensuring the success of agricultural projects and stimulating investment in this vital sector.

The meeting was attended by high-profile officials, including HE Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of the SCCI; Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director General for Communication and Business Sector; Fatima Khalifa Al-Muqrab, Director of the International Relations Department in the Chamber; and Tõnis Tänav, Deputy Secretary General for Fisheries Policy and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture.

Abdullah Sultan Al Owais emphasised that the Chamber is committed to supporting investment development in the agricultural sector, driven by Sharjah’s strategic approach aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural development and achieving food security.

“Our discussions with the Estonian delegation today reaffirm the Chamber’s keenness to learn about global expertise in agriculture. We seek to broaden the base of companies in this vital sector, boost their competitiveness and capacity for expansion, and enable them to initiate new projects,” Al Owais added.

He went on to say that investing in Sharjah’s agricultural sector would open up promising opportunities, thanks to its exceptional strategic location and appealing investment climate. This advantage is further amplified by Sharjah’s status as a pivotal commercial and industrial hub in the region, making it an attractive proposition for investors looking to capitalize on the agricultural industry’s potential.

Additionally, Al Owais met with a delegation from the Russian Federation, led by Vitaly Stepanov, CEO of the Moscow Export centre.