SRTIP stands as a national model for innovation: Sheikha Bodour

In a high-level meeting chaired by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) in its 4th session set the stage for the next phase of growth, building on past year’s phenomenal achievements that have made it one of the region’s fastest growth technology parks.

The meeting, hosted at the iconic headquarters of BEEAH Group, brought together industry, academic, and government stakeholders committed to reinforcing Sharjah’s position as a leading regional hub for innovation.

Opening the session, Sheikha Bodour extended her gratitude to board members and stressed the importance of building robust partnerships across sectors. “SRTIP stands as a national model for innovation, where the synergy between research, industry, and policy continues to unlock transformative opportunities. Our shared mission is to deliver impactful outcomes in sectors that matter most to the future of our society—healthcare, mobility, sustainability, and manufacturing,” she noted.

SRTIP CEO Hussain Al Mahmoudi presented highlights of 2024, showcasing progress in major projects, business development, and further expansion. He outlined the outlook for 2025 with a renewed focus on infrastructure readiness, tenant growth, and attracting new innovation-driven enterprises.

Al Mahmoudi said, “With guidance from our board and support from our partners, SRTIP is entering an exciting phase of development—one that prioritizes performance, strategic land use, and sectoral innovation. Our commitment to national goals and global competitiveness is stronger than ever.”

Master Planning and Sectoral Innovation in Focus: A detailed review of the Park’s masterplan and leasing strategies was presented by senior members of the management team. Updates were shared on the progression of Phase 1 clusters, key land allocations for the SOTI initiative, and commercial partnerships like Base39.

Sector-specific innovation efforts in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and mobility were spotlighted during dedicated sessions, including projections for business growth and key milestones.

A roadmap for enhancing ecosystem dynamics through deeper academic engagement with institutions such as AUS and UOS, was presented, alongside policies to attract talent and incentivize innovation.

Brand & Digital Transformation: The team also presented updates on brand visibility, digital transformation milestones, and SoiLab’s role in driving innovation through prototyping and SME engagement. Internal transformation strategies, including HR development, were discussed as enablers of operational excellence.

The board reviewed SRTIP’s financial outlook through 2027, including budget projections for 2025. Audit insights were endorsed by the board, affirming the Park’s financial and governance stability.

The meeting concluded with an open discussion on next steps, followed by a tour of the “Naseej: Threads of Hope” exhibition. With strong alignment between strategic planning and execution, SRTIP reaffirmed its role as a key driver of Sharjah’s innovation economy.

Meanwhile,  the Sharjah Foundation to Support Pioneering Entrepreneurs (RUWAD), which is affiliated with the Sharjah Department of Economic Development, reported that its member projects had earned AED3,484,680 in government contracts across the UAE in 2024, a 23.9% increase from 2023.

Acting Director Fatima Al Ali stated that this rise underscores RUWAD members’ strong position as trusted providers to federal and local government agencies. It also demonstrates a growing trust in the quality of services and goods provided by Emirati entrepreneurs, reinforcing their position in national development and public-private collaborations.

She stated that RUWAD is dedicated to increasing its members’ competitiveness through focused training programmes, awareness workshops, and discussions on government procurement methods. Members are also urged to join approved supplier platforms and take part in digital tendering processes.

Al Ali also stated that the foundation works with key authorities such as the Ministry of Finance and Sharjah’s Central Finance Department to foster a conducive business environment. These collaborations enable increased participation in bids and provide additional incentives and opportunities for enterprises.

In 2024, 46 RUWAD projects signed 318 contracts with 42 federal agencies. The services provided varied from hospitality and catering to facility management and office operations. Leading contracting bodies included the Sharjah Police Academy, Kalba Municipality, and the Districts Affairs Department.

By the end of 2024, the number of RUWAD members registered as suppliers with Sharjah’s Central Finance Department had grown to 129, up from 14 the previous year, representing a 250% increase. This extension allows more projects to benefit from government procurement privileges.

RUWAD members also closed 22 mutual deals as part of the “Tashbeek” initiative, which aims to develop entrepreneurial relationships while also boosting collaboration and service integration.