Issa Ataya and Najla Al Midfa after signing the memorandum of understanding in Sharjah on Monday.

Alef Group, the leading real estate development company in the emirate of Sharjah on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa). The agreement states that the two parties will undergo cooperation with the aim of supporting talented and emerging entrepreneurs.

The memorandum was signed by Issa Ataya, CEO of Alef Group, and Najla Al-Midfa, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship centre (Sheraa). The memorandum affirmed that Alef would be a founding strategic partner with Sheraa for a period of two years.

Issa Ataya, CEO of Alef, said, “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with Sheraa comes as part of our commitment to contributing to the vision and directives of the Sharjah government to consolidate and strengthen cooperation and collaboration, to develop the entrepreneurship sector in Sharjah and the UAE. We are dedicated to highlighting the role of small and medium enterprises as a drive to increase the diversification and sustainability of the economy and raise its competitiveness at a local and global level.”

Ataya stressed that Alef has an integrated strategy to fulfil its role and duties towards the local community, based on its commitment to corporate social responsibility. Additionally, the company is dedicated to its role in promoting partnerships between the public and private sectors, and the process of sustainable economic development in Sharjah, which is a leading hub for entrepreneurship.

According to the memorandum, Alef Group will provide new tools and innovative solutions for small and medium entrepreneurship projects. It will also launch various initiatives to support entrepreneurs and talented youth working on innovative ideas and solutions, by creating an appropriate environment to successfully establish their future projects and businesses, developing, and refining their capabilities and inspiring a new generation of future change-makers.

Alef Group will also encourage the most creative and innovative startups and entrepreneurs in the retail, food, arts, design, and other sectors from all over the GCC to have a base in its pioneering and mixed-use project ‘Al Mamsha’, which constitutes an attractive and qualitative environment within a modern lifestyle through offering the best facilities, services, and incentives for talented entrepreneurs in the most strategic location in the heart of Sharjah.

Commenting on the new strategic partnership with Alef Group, Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sharjah Entrepreneurship centre (Sheraa), said: “We are proud to officially welcome Alef Group as Sheraa’s seventh Founding Partner. Together, we will work towards advancing our shared vision of establishing Sharjah as a leading and vibrant hub for innovative startups and contribute to the growth and diversification of the Emirate’s economy.”

Al Midfa added that the partnership reinforces the progressive vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the directives of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sheraa, to encourage collaboration between the public and private entities in Sharjah in order to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and accelerate the digital transformation of the Emirate.

She added, “Alef Group’s support will span the various programs and offerings in place at Sheraa, to provide entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed on their startup journey. Among these offerings is the annual Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, which attracts over 3000 young changemakers from around the region.”