Sharjah Chamber Highlights Initiatives To Support Business Councils And Strengthen Economic Position

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) is actively working to enhance the emirate's status as a key economic centre. It is committed to initiatives that connect business communities, empower the private sector, and promote sustainable growth by fostering an investment-friendly environment. These efforts were highlighted during the Sharjah-Pakistan Business Forum, organised by the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Office.

The forum was a collaborative effort with the newly formed Pakistan Business Council in Sharjah, which operates under the Chamber's umbrella. This event attracted over 200 investors and entrepreneurs from various sectors in both regions. Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, SCCI's Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector, emphasised the forum's importance in creating new collaboration opportunities between businesses in Sharjah and Pakistan.

Al Shamsi noted that the forum is crucial for enhancing UAE-Pakistan trade relations, offering a platform to explore investments and build strategic partnerships. He mentioned that establishing the Pakistan Business Council is part of SCCI's broader network of business councils. The Chamber hosted its first meeting in September, marking the council's official launch.

The Pakistan Business Council aims to strengthen investment and trade ties between Sharjah's business community and its Pakistani counterpart. It provides a foundation for mutual benefit and contributes to sustainable economic development in both countries. Al Shamsi expressed optimism about future partnerships between Sharjah and Pakistan's business communities.

Hiba Al Marzouqi, Head of Business Councils at SCCI, spoke at a panel titled "The Investment Landscape in Sharjah." She highlighted how business councils under SCCI play a vital role in advancing economic ties with other nations. Al Marzouqi stressed SCCI’s commitment to supporting these councils in boosting cooperation and trade exchanges with represented countries.

She explained that informing business leaders about investment opportunities in Sharjah is key to fostering partnerships that improve the emirate’s business ecosystem. Al Marzouqi affirmed that SCCI provides necessary services to these councils, enhancing collaboration and communication between Sharjah’s business community and global counterparts.

Future Prospects

Concluding his remarks, Al Shamsi expressed confidence in promising opportunities for future partnerships between Sharjah and Pakistan. He highlighted significant growth in bilateral economic relations, noting that non-oil foreign trade between UAE and Pakistan reached AED 25.7 billion in 2022—a 30% increase from 2021.

This growth underscores the potential for further strengthening economic ties through strategic collaborations facilitated by forums like the one hosted by SCCI. The Chamber remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that drive sustainable economic development while empowering private sector engagement across borders.

With inputs from WAM