Sharjah Chamber partners with DHL Express to boost flow of foreign trade

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DHL Express to strengthen joint cooperation in delivering advanced logistics solutions that support the emirate’s business community.

The agreement aims to facilitate foreign trade flows, streamline international shipping operations, and enhance export and re-export efficiency for registered member companies. It reinforces SCCI’s strategy to develop Sharjah’s business environment, empower Sharjah-based businesses and entrepreneurs to expand their operations, and boost their competitiveness in regional and global markets.

The signing ceremony took place at the Sharjah Chamber’s headquarters, with Mohamed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; Mahmoud Haj Hussein, Managing Director of DHL Express; and Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations Department at SCCI, signing on behalf of their respective organisations, attended by senior representatives from both parties.

The MoU is designed to extend DHL Express’s international express shipping services to SCCI members and SME entrepreneurs under preferential terms, strengthening their global competitiveness and enabling market expansion.

The agreement also incorporates tailored member support and co-branded marketing initiatives and programmes, including awareness seminars and digital outreach campaigns. Furthermore, the partnership introduces advanced technology solutions, including integration with e-shipping platforms, to optimise trade processes and enhance supply chain efficiency.

Mohamed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi remarked that the MoU supports the Sharjah Chamber’s strategic agenda to deliver world-class services that elevate business competitiveness, enable international market expansion, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship within a growth-oriented ecosystem.

He noted that the collaboration is a key enabler for SCCI members, especially SMEs, providing access to advanced logistics solutions and optimised international shipping services, thereby enhancing their scalability and global market penetration.

DHL Express maintains a robust operational footprint in the UAE, with more than 150 daily flights, three major airport hubs, over 350 vehicles, and 35 service points nationwide, enabling efficient trade connectivity across key global corridors, including the GCC, the US, France, China, Germany, and Italy.

The company also brings extensive expertise across multiple sectors, including automotive, pharmaceuticals, energy, technology, fashion, aviation, engineering, and manufacturing. The MoU aims to leverage these capabilities alongside Sharjah’s business ecosystem to strengthen strategic partnerships, enable SMEs to access broader growth opportunities, and expand their reach into regional and global markets.

Days earlier, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) held an expanded meeting with the Hotels Sector Business Group’s representative committee to explore the launch of a joint promotional campaign for domestic tourism amid rising market activity.

The Hotels Sector Business Group, which operates under the Sharjah Chamber, serves as a key interface between hospitality establishments and relevant government entities. The Initiative aligns with SCCI’s strategy to foster a competitive and growth-oriented business environment, while advancing Sharjah’s broader objectives of economic diversification and positioning the emirate as a leading regional and global tourism and cultural destination.

The meeting was attended by Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI; Dr Fatema Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations at SCCI; Amjad Awad al Karim, Head of Sectoral Business Groups Department; and Fadi Musharafieh, Head of the Hotels Sector Group, along with key Chamber officials and senior executives from major hospitality operators across the emirate.

Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi said that hospitality and hotel sector is a strategic priority for the Sharjah Chamber due to its significant multiplier impact on the local economy. He emphasised that higher occupancy rates and revenue growth within the sector drive broader economic activity, supported by its strong interconnections with transportation, retail, entertainment, and F&B industries.

For her part, Dr Fatema Khalifa Al Muqarrab stated that the Sharjah Chamber will escalate the group’s proposals to relevant authorities to unlock further operational support. She added that strengthening hotel sector competitiveness requires balancing reduced operational burdens with stimulating tourism demand, supported by a flexible regulatory framework that enables operators to adapt, scale, and expand their business models.

Fadi Musharafieh said that Sharjah’s hospitality sector is underpinned by key competitive advantages, including rich cultural and heritage assets, advanced tourism infrastructure, and a strategic geographic location. He noted that maximising these advantages will require deeper public-private collaboration to drive measurable gains in occupancy levels and revenue performance.

The meeting discussed organising a domestic-focused promotional campaign targeting residents and in-country visitors. The campaign would feature innovative bundled offerings and exclusive hospitality packages integrating accommodation, retail, and entertainment, leveraging prior successful industry initiatives.

During the meeting, participants highlighted the importance of designing integrated and cross-sector packages linking hospitality, retail, and key destinations to create a comprehensive economic ecosystem.

They discussed the potential of offering exclusive shopping vouchers for hotel guests to enhance integration between the hospitality and retail sectors and increase overall economic returns. They also emphasised the need for early coordination to launch the annual summer promotions campaign, alongside refreshing marketing content to highlight Sharjah’s evolving portfolio of destinations, attractions, and events.

WAM