Business Bureau, Gulf Today

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Middle East’s sustainability pioneer, Bee’ah. The MoU comes as part of the concerted efforts to enhance cooperation and exchange knowledge and experiences in terms of the environmental activities and social responsibility initiatives.

Signed by Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, SCCI’s, Director-General and HE Khaled Al Huraimel, Group Chief Executive Officer, Bee’ah, at the SCCI headquarters, the MoU aims at enhancing the capabilities of both sides to consolidate the best environmental practices, through the programs of waste recycling and disposal, as part of the two sides’ commitment towards the environment and its sustainability.

Present at the signing ceremony were Abdul Aziz Shattaf, SCCI’s Assistant General Director, Members Services Sector; Fahad Shehail, CEO of Waste Management Services, Bee’ah; Nawal Abdul Razaq, Head of Asset and Property Department, SCCI; and Saud Al-Hajri, Head of SCCI’s Public Relations and Community Responsibility Department.

A Role Model for Business Community

Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi said: “The MoU comes within a series of the SCCI’s efforts and initiatives to enhance the role of Industry & Business Sector in bolstering the green policies and sustainable development strategies in Sharjah.”

Al Awadi pointed to the effective role of the SCCI in the environment protection field, through the chamber’s keenness to take part and host the environmental events and raise its members’ awareness, as a role model for the business community, about the implementation of the best practices in the environment field.

“Environment protection is one of the major concerns our wise leadership is keen on bolstering, not only domestically but also globally. Therefore, we have to intensify the efforts to launch more programs and initiatives that contribute to elevating the awareness about the importance of maintaining the environment and focusing on the sustainability as a key pillar for upholding the holistic development journey adopted by both Sharjah and UAE Government,” Al Awadi added.

He emphasized the SCCI’s keenness on providing the entire needs to activate the articles of this MoU to help confront the environmental challenges in terms of the waste disposal in an environmentally-friendly manner, adding that a dedicated team will be following up and ensuring the provision of all facilities and services.

Also, the SCCI will provide support for enormous social responsibility initiatives and take part in the environmental awareness campaigns organised by Bee’ah across the Emirate of Sharjah.

Stressing the importance of social responsibility initiatives and behavioral change, Khaled Al Huraimel, Group Chief Executive Officer, Bee’ah said: “Collaborating with entities in the private and public sectors to find end to end innovative solutions to environment issues is at the heart of what we do. Our programmes and initiatives aim to effectively serve the needs of communities across the UAE and positively impact the environment, to pioneer a more sustainable quality of life.

The MoU with SCCI is a testament to our commitment to support entities in achieving their environment goals; adopting green policies and sustainable development strategies; and encouraging a sustainable culture in the workplace.”

Under the MoU, Bee’ah will provide containers in different parts of the SCCI premises with a view to encouraging the environment-friendly practices and promoting the culture of recycling. Additionally, mutual visits will be organised to learn about the applied experiences by both sides in the environmental protection field.

It may be mentioned that the 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 civilizational 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.