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From The Report: Sharjah 2017
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With just over 3% of the territory of the UAE, Sharjah is one of the federation’s smaller emirates, yet it continues to punch above its weight in the realms of commerce and culture. Having long played an important cultural and economic role in the region, it is now home to three free zones, 16 museums and a number of annual festivals that draw visitors from around the world. The discovery of oil in Sharjah’s offshore Mubarak field in 1972 resulted in an economic boom, but even at that early stage the emirate’s leadership understood the importance of establishing a non-oil economy. The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, created that year to broaden the range of economic activity taking place in the emirate, over subsequent decades oversaw development of a range of industries, including petrochemicals, textiles and leather, basic non-metals, foodstuffs and wood products.

This chapter contains a viewpoint from Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah and member of the UAE’s Supreme Council; and interviews with Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority; and Abdul Latif Al Zayani, Secretary-General, GCC.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Capital of culture: Benefitting from its rich heritage and steady growth, the emirate is now looking to further develop the economy
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Accounting for just over 3% of the territory of the UAE, Sharjah is one of the federation’s smaller emirates, and yet it has long played an important cultural and economic role in the region. Home to three free zones, 16 museums and a number of annual festivals that attract visitors from around the world, the emirate continues to punch above its weight in the realms of commerce and culture. Geography Situated in the north-eastern part of the UAE, the emirate of Sharjah covers 2590 sq km of territory,…

Viewpoint

Towards inclusive growth: Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the UAE’s Supreme Council, on the importance of comprehensive and equitable development
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Viewpoint: Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi From time to time we have to stop and contemplate the questions raised by what we experience and try to find answers which, in their essence, encompass our work’s culture, philosophy, goals, direction and destination. In so doing, we can determine how this work can be best sustained and advanced. The most prominent question in the context of economic activity is what the goal of the activity is. We can also ask, do these activities only achieve…

Interview

Competitive advantage: Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), on the emirate’s diverse economy and growth potential
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Interview: Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi What are the competitive advantages of Sharjah compared to its neighbours? SHEIKHA BODOUR BINT SULTAN AL QASIMI: The beauty of being a part of the UAE is its harmonious approach to the concept of “unity.” Each emirate enjoys the chance to individually promote itself based on its respective economic competencies, while the end goal continues to focus on each emirate delivering a key set of services and sectors that highlight the UAE’s keenness…

Interview

Securing the future: Abdul Latif Al Zayani, Secretary-General, GCC, on regional development and economic integration
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Interview: Abdul Latif Al Zayani What are the most significant challenges to further integration faced by GCC member states? ABDUL LATIF AL ZAYANI: Any integration programme will face challenges, particularly if integration requires waivers by the member countries, given that each has its own legislative tools, laws and regulations. Moreover, some countries may find it difficult to implement some integration measures and may have to delay implementation in certain areas, because of technical and…