A panoramic view of Sharjah Corriche.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council (SEC) , chaired on Tuesday, the meeting of SEC held at the office of His Highness the Ruler, in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan

Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Deputy Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council.

During the meeting, the council discussed a number of government work topics in the Emirate of Sharjah including following up on the progress of work in government departments, and reviewing developments in work on infrastructure projects.

The council approved lowering of the buying and selling fees on real estate transactions that will be implemented at the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition 2024 in order to support investors and those looking to purchase real estate in the Emirate of Sharjah. The selling fees will become 0.5 percent for real estate developers, and the purchase fees for citizens of the country and GCC countries will be 1 percent, and purchase fees for different nationalities will be 2 per cent.

The council issued Resolution No. (31) of 2023 on following up on the work of the regional offices of international organisations in the Emirate of Sharjah. The decision stipulated that, taking into account international legislation and agreements and the powers of the federal authorities related to the work of the regional offices of international organisations, the Department of Government Relations in the Emirate of Sharjah is charged with following up on the work of the regional offices for international organisations in the emirate.

The Government Relations Department in particular:

Supervising the administrative and financial contributions and privileges provided by the government to the regional offices of international organisations in the emirate. Issuing the necessary instructions and standards to ensure proper follow-up of the work of the regional offices of international organisations in the emirate. Developing plans to achieve benefit and cooperation between the concerned authorities in the emirate and the regional offices of international organisations.4. Cooperating with the regional offices of international organisations in order to implement their programmes and activities based on their field of competence. Supervising all activities, programmes and initiatives carried out by the concerned authorities in the emirate with the regional offices of international organisations.6. Contributing to informing people and stakeholders in the emirate of the mission, goals, programmes and activities of the regional offices of international organisations7. Providing regional offices of international organisations with possible information and data to perform their jurisdiction and activity.8. Coordinating with all concerned authorities in the emirate regarding its relations with the regional offices of international organisations.9. Any other tasks or competencies assigned to the Government Relations Department by SEC.

Meanwhile, the Real Estate Registration Department in Sharjah has announced the opening of registration for the “Real Estate Excellence Award” for 2024.

The award will be open in four categories to various institutions, companies, associations, and real estate offices operating in the emirate from 4th December until 4th January 2024.

The award includes four categories: Real Estate Offices, Real Estate Development Companies, Best Owners Association Board of Directors, and the category of the best companies for Administrative Supervision Services for Owners Associations.

Abdul Aziz Ahmed Al-Shamsi, Director-General of Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, said that the department seeks, through this award and other programmes and initiatives, to empower the real estate community in the emirate and to motivate it to provide proactive, smooth, and advanced real estate services.

Also, to enhance the quality of life and improve customer service to reach the best results.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Head of the Strategic Planning and Institutional Excellence Office at the Department, said that the award helps motivate other institutions to develop their work, meet the award’s requirements for participation and allow them to compete with other institutions, which also contributes to achieving the department’s strategic goal of having sustainable real estate investment that anticipates the future, attracts more capital and investors, and enhances the global leadership of the Emirate

All institutions, companies, associations, and real estate offices in the Emirate of Sharjah can register for the award through the department’s website.

Meanwhile,  Arada has opened Shajar, a nursery and visitor attraction that contains 130,000 trees that are being carefully nurtured prior to being planted in Arada’s communities.

Spread over a 1.6 million square foot area, Shajar, which means ‘trees’ in Arabic, is one of the largest nurseries in the UAE.

A family-friendly and educational attraction that is designed to promote the welfare of trees and boost environmental awareness, Shajar also incorporates a welcome centre, tour experience and upmarket café, all surrounded by a huge variety of trees and shrubs.