SPARK Delegation's Visit To China Enhances Business Connections With Sharjah

A team from the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), led by CEO Hussain Al Mahmoudi, recently completed a strategic visit to China. This tour involved significant meetings and participation in international conferences. Al Mahmoudi, who also serves as President of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) for West Asia and North Africa, shared insights on global trends in science parks during the IASP Annual Meetings.

Al Mahmoudi emphasised education's role in advancing the knowledge economy and highlighted the importance of balancing specialisation with flexibility in innovation ecosystems. He noted that West Asia and North Africa are rapidly transforming into key contributors to the global knowledge economy. The delegation also attended the World Technology Innovation Conference (WTIC 2025) in Shanghai, where SPARK was showcased as a model combining advanced infrastructure with an attractive investment environment.

At WTIC 2025, Al Mahmoudi presented SPARK’s pioneering "soft-landing programmes" designed to support startups entering regional markets and expanding globally. His presentation generated strong interest among participants, particularly regarding building integrated innovation ecosystems that connect companies with international markets like China. This engagement underscored SPARK's commitment to fostering global connections.

A significant aspect of the tour was SPARK's involvement in Investopia Beijing, part of Investopia’s Global Dialogues. Recognised as a leading platform for advancing investment in the new economy, Investopia Beijing featured interactive sessions on technology's future role in shaping the global economy. Al Mahmoudi participated in discussions on investing in the knowledge economy and future technologies.

During these sessions, Al Mahmoudi explored ways to enable startups to scale through international partnerships. He stressed the need for flexible ecosystems that foster innovation and accelerate ideas from labs to markets. Additionally, he discussed balancing specialisation and flexibility within innovation ecosystems, highlighting SPARK’s experience combining research infrastructure with a business-friendly environment to attract global investments.

Al Mahmoudi stated, "Our participation in this global platform reflects Sharjah’s growing role as a regional and international hub for innovation. At SPARK, we are focused on building strategic bridges between East and West through soft-landing programs that help startups expand into new markets while also developing joint research centers with leading global institutions."

Sharjah's Growing Influence

This engagement highlights SPARK’s dedication to supporting entrepreneurship and emerging technologies while recognising China as a key partner on this journey toward a knowledge-driven economy. Through these high-profile international engagements, SPARK reaffirms its position as a key player driving innovation at both regional and global levels.

The commitment aligns with UAE’s vision of building a diversified and sustainable knowledge economy. By participating actively on such platforms, SPARK continues to reinforce its role in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across borders.

With inputs from WAM