Business Bureau, Gulf Today

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

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

The meeting was also attended by 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.

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

Bu Khatir underscored that the sectoral business groups are a key partner in developing the private sector and realising 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 realise 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 fulfil 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 utilising opportunities in establishing an integrated structure that meets the aspirations of the economic sectors and bolsters the efforts of achieving sustainable development.”

For his part, 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 organising 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 co-operation has formed a value-added that helped facilitate the work efforts and tackle the challenges facing the companies working in the Emirate of Sharjah.

“Organising 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. 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 per cent 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).”