Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026 highlights future economic priorities

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sharjah: In the presence of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), the ninth edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026) opened on Saturday, beginning a two-day program focused on long-term economic development, institutional leadership, and the role of entrepreneurship in supporting resilient economies. The Festival is expected to attract more than 14,000 attendees, including founders, investors, policymakers, and business leaders from the UAE and abroad.

Organized by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), under the theme “Where We Belong”, the opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations; Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy & Tourism; Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the UAE’s first female minister; Sayyida Dr. Basma Al Said, Founder of Whispers of Serenity Clinic; Badr Jafar, Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy for the United Arab Emirates; Najla ِAhmed Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa; and Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, alongside government officials, business leaders, and media representatives.

SEF 2026 brings together more than 300 global and regional speakers across 250 talks, workshops, and experiential sessions, delivered through 10 purpose-built zones focused on entrepreneurship, investment, creativity, impact, and community.

In her keynote speech, Najla Ahmed Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa, said: “Sharjah measures time not in months, but in generations; success not in returns, but in people and their well-being. Today, more than 70,000 SMEs serve the city, a testament to seeds sown decades ago, when the emirate nurtured institutions, welcomed enterprise, and allowed ventures to take root and thrive. Many of those early initiatives have since grown into some of the region’s and the world’s most prominent names. Take SIBF, now the largest book fair globally, or National Paints, a third-generation family business that has become one of the region’s leading paint companies.”

She added, “Sharjah has always placed people first, proving that progress need not come at the cost of burnout, and that a meaningful life is built patiently, with care and intention. This philosophy is reflected even in policy. In 2022, the emirate adopted a three-day weekend for government employees and schools, sending a clear message that productive economies begin with healthy communities. These are not soft choices, but strategic ones, grounded in the belief that a society which supports families and values well-being builds resilience that endures.”

Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said: “Every entrepreneurial journey begins with a decision to take the first step, but what defines founders is the choice to continue, often without certainty and away from the spotlight. Entrepreneurship is rarely linear. It is shaped by pressure, unanswered questions, and moments when progress feels slower than expected. This festival exists because building something meaningful requires more than ambition. It requires courage, resilience, and spaces where honest conversations about the full journey can take place.”

She added: “At Sheraa, we believe ideas become meaningful only when they are met with sustained support and long-term commitment. When founders choose to build in Sharjah, our responsibility does not end at the starting point. We continue to guide and support them as they grow, adapt, and make decisions over time. Our goal is to build Sharjah as a startup city in experience, not just in name, by investing in people, developing human potential, and nurturing a generation of founders capable of creating real solutions for real-world challenges.”

Across its ninth edition, SEF 2026 combines entrepreneurship, investment, creativity, and policy in a two-day program designed to link ideas with implementation. The opening day set the direction for further discussions on economic resilience, sector development, and the systems needed to support founders and institutions over time.

The opening ceremony continued with a session titled “Building the Future Food Economy,” which focused on food security as an economic priority. In conversation with Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations, the session included . Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy & Tourism and . Dr. Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change & Environment.

The discussion examined how climate pressures, technological change, and global supply chain shifts are influencing food systems, investment approaches, and long-term economic stability.

During the session, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri affirmed that the food sector has today become one of the strategic pillars of the new global economy, in light of rapid transformations driven by climate change, supply chain challenges, and technological advancement. He noted that the food economy is now a key engine of economic growth, with the value of global food markets and related activities exceeding $9 trillion, while international estimates indicate that global demand for food could increase by 50% to 60% by 2050.

He further explained that, guided by the vision of its wise leadership and its commitment to building a competitive, knowledge-based, and sustainable economy, the UAE has positioned food as a priority strategic sector that serves as a driver of innovation, growth, and economic diversification. Accordingly, it was selected as the first sector under the National Policy for Economic Clusters. The UAE has made significant progress in developing the food economic cluster as a key pathway of the new economy—supporting food security, generating employment opportunities, enhancing sustainability, empowering SMEs operating in this vital sector, and leveraging advanced technologies in smart agriculture, digital supply chains, and logistics services.

Meanwhile, Dr. Amna Al Dhahak said, “We must focus on system transformation through five key pillars. First, we need to shift from climate exposure to climate intelligence, embedding technology, scientific research, and agritech into how we grow and process food, from hydroponics to resource-efficient farming systems. Second, we must reverse the traditional supply chain logic. Instead of producing and then searching for markets, we start by understanding demand in detail, on what retailers, food industries, and consumers truly require, and then align farmers and suppliers accordingly. One of the biggest challenges farmers face is market access, so we are building clearer demand signals and partnerships across the value chain. Our goal is to ensure that at least 25% of fresh produce in the market comes from national production, supported by more sustainable practices and better awareness of quality and supply requirements.”

Steering the conversation beautifully between policy initiatives and ground realities, Sheikh Fahim concluded: “I think the one lesson we can learn more than anything from the nation’s leadership, specifically here in the Emirate of Sharjah, is that with vision, conviction and a commitment to the long term, we will see the sector grow.