Officials during the webinar.

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

The Expo Centre Sharjah (ECS) recently participated in a webinar co-organised by the International Congress & Convention Association - Middle East Chapter and the United Nations World Tourism organisation (UNWTO).

The meeting is aimed at strengthening the international cooperation in the tourism sector and the constant coordination with the relevant exhibitions and conferences authorities to underline the role of this sector in tourism recovery and to provide a catalyst for the growth of the global economy post-Covid-19.

Present at the meeting were Saif Mohammed Al-Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre, Basmah Al Mayman, Regional Director of the Middle East, UNWTO, HE Khalid Al Zadjali, ICCA ME Chapter Chair, and Director Oman Convention Bureau, Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Taiseer Al Mallah, Acting CEO, Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority, and Anju Gomes, Director Middle East, ICCA.

Owing to the significant role of exhibitions in highlighting tourist and recreational sights, the meeting highlighted the importance of correlating tourism recovery with the recommencement of exhibitions and conferences that help bring investors and businessmen together and have a vital role in the booming aviation and hospitality sectors.

In his remarks, Saif Mohammed Al-Midfa said: “The wise leadership has attached special importance to the tourist sector and its role in bolstering the comprehensive development and the sustainable economic renaissance, through long-term national plans.”

“As a global tourist destination in the Middle East, the UAE has ranked first in the region and 33rd globally in the travel & tourism competitiveness, according to the World Economic Forum 2019 report, while the tourism sector share represents 11.9% of the GDP of the UAE,” Al-Midfa noted.

He commended the UAE’s efficiency and capability in dealing with Covid-19, as well as the decisions made by the Government to resume the activities of the exhibition sector, given its importance for the rapid return of the economic flow and tourism movement in the country.

Concluding his remarks, Al-Midfa emphasized the impactful role of the exhibitions and conferences sector in the economic life of countries and in the national income, as well as their contribution to achieving the sustainable economic development, underlined the need to take further steps from all countries to come up with meaningful initiatives that help restore of the role of this vital industry in enhancing other economic sectors.

It is worth noting that the Expo Centre has resumed the organisation and host of exhibitions which witnessed a high turnout of visitors and exhibitors, with the application of precautionary measures to maintain the health of everyone.

Meanwhile the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has shared the new developments being witnessed across its portfolio of latest large-scale real estate, tourism, commercial and hospitality projects, in line with the gradual reopening of businesses across the UAE.

“Preventative measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus will be implemented effectively across all its sites to ensure the safety of Shurooq’s staff and workers,” the Authority said in a statement.

“The move reinforces the criticality of business continuity and sustainability in the construction and infrastructure sectors to ensure the strength and resilience of Sharjah’s economy,” it added.

Shurooq is developing an array of projects in strategic partnership with leading international companies that offer a range of investment opportunities.

In doing so, Shurooq said it is furthering Sharjah’s economic diversification policy aimed at enhancing the investment environment across the emirate and making the most of its unique infrastructure to develop new projects in sectors like renewal energy, healthcare, logistics and hospitality.

Amongst the list of projects scheduled for completion this year and some of the signature projects that will be completed within the next two years includes the House of Wisdom, Sharjah Sustainable City and Avenues Mall Sharjah

Speaking on the implications of the reopening of business activities following temporary closures in the wake of the pandemic, Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of Shurooq, said, “As businesses are gradually returning to normal, Shurooq is responding to the crisis and helping drive recovery to preserve the resilience and stability of the economy as well as ensure that the growth in all sectors is balanced. This aligns with the vision and directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to bolster the status of the emirate as an outstanding business and investment destination at both regional and global levels.”

Al Sarkal remarked that Shurooq, together with other government entities across the emirate, contributes to the strong economic fundamentals of Sharjah’s economy with sustained infrastructural investment to create a favourable investment environment in Sharjah. He added that Shurooq’s numerous projects facilitate Sharjah’s policy of economic diversification, in line with UAE’s growth strategy.

Resuming construction activities to get on the fast-paced track to growth will ensure the sustainability of the development process and the consolidation of a knowledge-based economy that is capable of attracting assets and investments from around the world, he added.