The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a senior Government of Sharjah delegation to discuss investment and commercial opportunities with the Washington, D.C. business community over breakfast on Thursday. The delegation of Sharjah government and business leaders was led by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi and joined by Chairman of Government Relations Department in the Emirate of Sharjah His Excellency Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi and Shurooq Chief Executive Officer His Excellency Marwan Al Sarkal.

H.E. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi opened the event following an introduction from U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright by providing the audience with scene-setting remarks. In her comments, Sheikha Bodour noted the immense investment and commercial opportunities in Sharjah and the emirate’s role as a cultural and regional hub with an evolving corporate landscape.

Shurooq Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi addresses U.S.-U.A.E. commercial stakeholders in D.C.

“Sharjah presents a unique opportunity for American and international companies, said Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi. “Shurooq and our partners are actively working to maintain Sharjah’s strong Emirati cultural heritage while boosting the emirate’s commercial landscape in order to open the local market further to global commerce and direct investment. We are actively engaging business leaders in the U.S. and around the world.”

Shurooq CEO H.E. Marwan Al Sarkal echoed H.E. Al Qasimi’s thoughts on the viability of U.S.-Sharjah commercial partnerships and delivered a formal presentation on Sharjah’s offerings to the audience of public and private sector business leaders following a short video. Throughout his remarks, Al Sarkal pointed to the interplay between Sharjah’s world-class business, culture, and education infrastructure. He noted that international programs designed to encourage open dialogue between the government and business community were key to enhancing Sharjah’s ties with the world market.

“Sharjah is enhancing its global business community engagement and is home to a vibrant regional airport, prestigious education institutions, and state-of-the-art multimodal facilities,” said Al Serkal. “We look forward to creating new partnerships and deepening already strong ties with many commercial partners here in the United States and around the world.”

Senior Shurooq delegates pose with U.A.E. Embassy in Washington, D.C. officials and U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright 

The Shurooq-led delegation is in the United States this week to attend U.S. Export-Import Bank meetings and other stakeholder programs. The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shurooq in 2013 to enhance American business community engagement in Sharjah within the context of the broader U.S.-U.A.E. trade and commercial relationship.

“The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council shares many goals and objectives with Shurooq in our joint pursuit of increased trade and investment between the United States and United Arab Emirates,” said Sebright.

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About the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq):

Established in 2009 by Emiri Decree issued by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, Shurooq was created to oversee social, cultural, environmental and economic development on the basis of Sharjah’s distinct Arab and Islamic identity.

Shurooq’s three key duties are:

Investment:

Shurooq identifies investment opportunities throughout Sharjah, links various projects with suitable investors, offers professional and economic consultancies and provides potential investors with accurate investment evaluations and feasibility studies.

Development:

Shurooq is planning and developing a number of heritage and waterfront, as well as commercial, projects. The authority has started carrying out some of these, obtained the necessary approvals for others, and has completed the final master plans of yet to be announced projects.

Assets and Properties Management:

Shurooq is looking to establish lasting, profitable and sustainable partnerships. We currently manage a number of assets within our portfolio and can manage future joint venture assets to keep the projects aligned with the collective investment goals.

For more information, visit: http://shurooq.gov.ae/en.