Global trade realignment is reshaping logistics flows across the Red Sea Corridor, Arabian Peninsula, East Africa, India and South-east Asia. This Impact Report examines how new trade routes, infrastructure investment and technological innovation are redefining maritime connectivity and regional competitiveness.The publication – produced in partnership with Folk Maritime, a regional liner headquartered…
Sharjah has engineered a transformation into a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the MENA region. The emirate’s success is powered by a uniquely integrated ecosystem that seamlessly connects talent development at institutions like the American University of Sharjah (AUS), venture creation and mentorship through the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), and scaling…
In this Global Platform video, Oxford Business Group speaks with Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) about Sharjah’s strategies for fostering tourism growth by striking a balance between cultural appreciation and sustainability. In 2022 tourism constituted over 9% of the UAE’s GDP and contributed around 10% to non-oil GDP in the emirate
Click here to read our Sharjah Economic Report and Investment Analysis 2023 online …
As part of plans to expand and diversify its global trade partners and fulfil their respective national development strategies, the GCC has launched negotiations with the UK on a free trade agreement (FTA). This partnership is expected to bolster the bloc’s economy, help attract investment and provide greater opportunities for local businesses. On June 22, 2022 the two parties signed a joint statement…
In recent years Sharjah has taken steps to align public financing with environmental and socio-economic priorities, leveraging local business’ expertise and inherent advantages. As such, the COP28 UN Conference on Climate Change hosted by the UAE in November 2023 presented a key opportunity for Sharjah to showcase its progress in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributing…
Global venture funding reached $221bn in the first three quarters of 2023, marking a 42% downturn from $381bn invested over the same period in 2022. This slowdown is evident in seed and early-stage funding, which declined from $37.6bn in the third quarter of 2022 to $23.4bn in 2023. Despite the global downturn, the UAE has been successful in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in recent years,…
In 2022 the Middle East witnessed the sharpest relative increase in international arrivals of any region in the world, solidifying its rebound from the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic and further raising its profile as an increasingly attractive destination for inbound tourism. According to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), in 2022 international arrivals in the Middle East recovered to…
With tourism emerging as a pillar of Sharjah’s development strategy, the emirate is providing incentives to encourage businesses to harness its tourism-related strengths, while also ensuring that growth does not occur at the expense of sustainability priorities. Natural & Cultural Relevance In line with its commitment to sustainability, Sharjah is undertaking efforts to preserve its natural…
