Over 30,000 Gather At Dibba Al-Hisn For Celebrated Dried Fish Festival

The 11th Dibba Al-Hisn Dried Fish and Fishing Festival attracted over 30,000 visitors and generated sales exceeding AED 1 million. The event, held on Al-Hisn Island for four days, was organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Dibba Al-Hisn Municipal Council, and Dibba Al-Hisn Municipality.

This year's festival featured a variety of merchants offering dried fish products, fishing gear, and marine safety equipment. Additionally, 14 government agencies, 30 commercial outlets, and more than 20 home-based businesses participated to honour the UAE's rich maritime heritage. The event highlighted local crafts and goods, showcasing the cultural history of Dibba Al-Hisn.

Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, emphasised the festival's role in celebrating Dibba Al-Hisn's cultural history while providing opportunities for businesses to increase sales. He expressed gratitude to the organisers for their efforts in making the event successful. "The festival has become an important platform for celebrating Dibba Al-Hisn's cultural history while also giving possibilities for participating businesses to sell their products and increase sales," he stated.

Ahmed bin Yarouf Al Naqbi, Chairman of Dibba Al-Hisn Municipal Council, described the event as a cultural celebration that showcased local crafts and products. He attributed the success of this edition to continuous efforts and close collaboration with relevant entities. "The success of this edition was due to ongoing efforts and tight collaboration with relevant entities," he noted.

The festival included unique exhibitions on dried fish production and maritime heritage. Visitors could explore traditional practices such as sailmaking, shipbuilding, fishing techniques, and methods for preparing, salting, and packing dried fish. These exhibitions aimed to preserve national heritage while promoting economic growth.

Record-Breaking Success

Talib Abdullah Al Yahyai, Chairman of the Event Organising Committee and Director of Dibba Al-Hisn Municipality, highlighted that the event continues to set new records each year in terms of sales and visitor numbers. He mentioned that positive feedback encourages further development of the festival. "A favourable response encourages the event's continued development, which benefits the economy, tourism, and the preservation of national heritage," he said.

The festival not only celebrated cultural traditions but also provided a significant boost to local businesses. By attracting a large number of visitors and generating substantial sales revenue, it demonstrated its importance as an economic driver for the region.

The successful execution of this year's festival underscores its growing significance in promoting both economic activity and cultural preservation in Dibba Al-Hisn. The collaborative efforts among various organisations ensured a well-coordinated event that honoured traditional practices while supporting modern business opportunities.

With inputs from WAM