Sharjah's 2030 Vision: A Strategic Roadmap For Innovation And Investment Growth

The Sharjah Investment Forum 2025 (SIF 2025), alongside the World Investment Conference, hosted a panel titled "Sharjah 2030: Driving Innovation, Investment, and Sustainable Growth." This session focused on Sharjah's strategic plan for innovation-driven economic growth by 2030. Key figures from various sectors discussed their roles in shaping this vision.

Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), highlighted tourism as a crucial part of Sharjah’s economy. It accounts for over 10 percent of the non-oil GDP. He stated, "We expect to reach 1.9 million visitors by the end of 2025, after welcoming 1.47 million in the first nine months." Infrastructure investments like airport expansion aim to boost eco-tourism and cultural tourism.

Ahmed Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq, discussed their AED7 billion investment portfolio covering real estate, hospitality, leisure, arts, and culture. He noted that their projects aim to elevate Sharjah’s profile while fostering ecosystems that blend culture, innovation, and sustainability. The authority plays a significant role in promoting public-private partnerships.

Sara Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, emphasised Sheraa’s efforts in creating a sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem through initiatives such as the Access Sharjah Challenge and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival. These initiatives have drawn over 44,000 visitors. She remarked that startups in Sharjah are generating social, economic, and environmental impacts.

Foreign Direct Investment Growth

Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh from Invest in Sharjah shared insights on foreign direct investment growth. In the first half of 2025 alone, it surged by 361 percent to US$1.5 billion. There was also a notable increase in projects by 57 percent and job creation by 45 percent. He mentioned advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and research as key growth sectors.

Innovation and Technology Projects

Hussain Al Mahmoudi from SPARK spoke about building a knowledge-based economy through collaboration among research institutions, industries, and government bodies. In 2025 alone, SPARK launched 38 pilot technology projects focusing on Industry 4.0 and green technologies. He stated that innovation attracts investment which fuels further innovation.

The panel collectively highlighted Sharjah’s unified vision for 2030 — focusing on innovation-led sustainable growth through cross-sector collaboration to position the emirate as a leading global hub for knowledge, investment, and culture.

With inputs from WAM