100 exhibitors take part in 12th edition of Dibba festival

The 12th edition of the Al Maleh and Fishing Festival was officially inaugurated on Thursday at Dibba Al Hisn and will run until August 31.

Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in cooperation with the Dibba Al Hisn Municipality, the four-day event features extensive participation from more than 100 exhibitors, including retailers, craftsmen, and local families involved in the Al Maleh (salted fish) industry, in addition to maritime-focused private sector companies and government entities.

It aims to promote the economic and cultural significance of marine fishing while preserving the UAE’s age-old maritime crafts and heritage-based industries.

The 12th Al Maleh and Fishing Festival was inaugurated by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI. The opening ceremony was attended by Ahmed Bin Yarouf Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Dibba Al-Hisn; Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; and Talib Abdullah Al Yahyai, Director of Dibba Al Hisn City Municipality.

Also present were senior officials, including heads of government departments and agencies, chairmen and members of municipal councils in Sharjah, along with directors and representatives from federal and local ministries, authorities, and institutions, in addition to representatives of the economic community in the Eastern Region of the emirate.

The attendees toured the festival, held at Al Hisn Island, explored its different pavilions and stands, and engaged with visitors in an authentic cultural setting that showcased the heritage of the eastern coast.

The ceremony featured traditional folkloric performances highlighting traditional fishing practices and heritage scenes that reflected the seafaring legacy of the ancestors.

Maleh Market: Meanwhile, attendees explored the festival’s central Al Maleh Market, dining area serving authentic traditional cuisine, and pavilions showcasing handcrafted marine products, where they praised the wide variety of exhibits and the strong turnout of both participants and visitors.

The festival continues to maintain its position as one of the region’s most prominent heritage events dedicated to the Al Maleh industry. It offers an interactive platform to celebrate marine fishing, traditional techniques of fish drying and canning, and related cultural practices.

In addition, it features educational sessions and awareness seminars on sustainable fishing, hands-on workshops on fish salting, and a variety of competitions and live showcases of maritime artisanal handicrafts.

Supporting economic and commercial activity in the Eastern Region: In his remarks, Abdallah Sultan Al Owais stated that inaugurating the Al Maleh and Fishing Festival in Dibba Al Hisn, the historic heartbeat of the Eastern Coast, underscores the Sharjah Chamber’s commitment to advancing economic and commercial momentum in the Eastern Region.

He noted that this vision stems from the wise leadership of H.H. Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who views heritage as both an inspiration and a catalyst for development.

“By blending the UAE’s rich maritime legacy with authentic cultural heritage, the festival has evolved into a multidimensional strategic landmark that honours one of the forefathers’ most vital professions, serves as a living educational forum transferring maritime knowledge to new generations, and provides economic support to the community of Dibba Al Hisn and the wider Eastern Region,” Al Owais added.

A model of success in turning heritage into an economic asset: On his part, Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi emphasised that the Chamber is committed to positioning the festival as a successful practical model for converting heritage-driven and tradition-based capital into tangible economic value.

He highlighted the event’s notable growth in exhibitor numbers and exhibition space, underscoring the richness of the local community that actively engages with the festival. This engagement has turned the festival into a dynamic platform for entrepreneurs and a primary gateway for productive families, whose creative products merit support and empowerment to become active contributors to the local economy.