Sharjah India Roundtable Strengthens Economic Cooperation And Investment

The Sharjah–India Business Roundtable brought government and private sector leaders together to deepen economic ties. Organised by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) and the Indian Business and Professional Council in Sharjah, the event focused on strengthening trade, investment and industrial cooperation between Sharjah and the Republic of India.

Discussions highlighted Sharjah’s role as a launchpad for Indian companies targeting Middle East and global markets. Participants examined opportunities in manufacturing, technology and logistics, underlining how these sectors support diversification in Sharjah and align with India’s growth priorities, while also reinforcing the importance of long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Latest figures presented at the roundtable underlined the depth of Sharjah–India business ties. The emirate hosted 21,701 Indian companies in its free zones, alongside 20,199 Indian firms on the mainland. Bilateral trade between Sharjah and India reached AED14.39 billion ($3.92 billion) in 2025, supported by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that took effect in 2022.

CEPA between the UAE and India was described as a key driver of this growth. The agreement expanded access to both markets and increased the flow of capital and goods. Officials said the momentum created by CEPA had opened broader prospects for Indian investors in Sharjah’s industrial, services and logistics segments.

Sharjah’s engagement with Indian investors has also been visible through foreign direct investment activity. Over recent years, the emirate attracted 102 Indian FDI projects. These projects were valued at around $2.96 billion and generated more than 3,600 new jobs, underlining sustained business confidence in Sharjah’s ecosystem.

Speaking to participants, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi pointed to strong macroeconomic indicators in Sharjah. Projections showed Sharjah’s GDP expected to grow by 8.5 percent, while sectors such as manufacturing and logistics recorded year-on-year growth above 9 percent. Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi noted that Indian entrepreneurs had become integral to this performance.

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi also expressed optimism about the future of UAE-India relations. He said 2026 was expected to bring an even more prosperous phase for bilateral trade and investment. Rising demand across the region, combined with Sharjah’s infrastructure and regulatory framework, was presented as an advantage for Indian businesses seeking expansion.

Sharjah’s investment authorities used the roundtable to outline policies that support Indian companies. Officials highlighted that the emirate’s free zones and mainland areas provide options for different business models. Attendees heard that industrial clusters, modern ports and logistics corridors give Indian firms practical access to regional and international supply chains.

Senior representatives from both sides joined the meeting to discuss these opportunities. The list included Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations and Higher Committee for Economic Integration in Sharjah, Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah).

Also present were Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul-General of India to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and Lalu Samuel, Chairman of the Founding Committee of the Indian Business and Professional Council in Sharjah, along with several officials from government entities and business organisations representing both the UAE and India.

During the event, Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer stressed Sharjah’s strategic direction regarding India. Al Qaseer said, "This roundtable marks the start of 2026 and reflects Sharjah’s focus on strengthening economic cooperation with India, with an emphasis on collaboration, investment opportunities, and long-term partnerships."

Debates at the Sharjah–India Business Roundtable showed that both sides see scope to deepen trade, investment and industrial links further. With strong company numbers, growing FDI, supportive regulation and CEPA-driven trade, participants viewed Sharjah as an important regional base for Indian firms planning wider Middle East and global expansion.

With inputs from WAM