Sharjah picks four key pillars of growth in 2017

Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi and others during the second Sharjah Forum 2017. - Supplied photo

Sharjah is ready to tackle the new year head on, with four sectors having been identified as key to the emirate's growth; namely transport and logistics, the environment, tourism, and healthcare. These areas are expected to receive a huge boost with the funds available from the emirate's record-breaking 2017 budget, of which 30 per cent has been allocated to infrastructure and 41 per cent to the economic development sector.
Experts at the second Sharjah Forum, held under the title 'The Future of Sharjah', noted that the emirate is ready to embrace its next stage of development. The event was organised by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and brought together more than 200 representatives of Sharjah's government sector to discuss capitalising on the opportunities being presented by the 2017 budget of Dh22 billion, the largest in the emirate's history. Hosted under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Sharjah, and Deputy Ruler and Chairman of the Executive Council, the event took place in the presence of Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the Sharjah Media Corporation and Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, chairperson of Shurooq.
"Sharjah has continuously demonstrated its capabilities to function as a prime destination for sustainability, distinction and innovation across the GCC and Mena region," said Shaikha Bodour. "Sharjah continues to embark on both its humanitarian and natural resources as part of its grand vision on the emirate's economic sustainability, as well as moving forward and being more strategic through its economic diversification process."
"Due to our efforts in developing a sustainable government integration framework, our economy continues to open its doors to more international investors, strengthening Sharjah's position as a top investment destination in the region. These opportunities form a key launch platform for Sharjah where it can work towards catering and servicing new demands made by investors, as well as form strategic business models for its future," she added.
Technology and innovation featured highly at the forum, with Jared Cohen, founder of Google Ideas and president of Jigsaw giving the first key note presentation titled 'Technology and its Positive Impact.' He said that Sharjah could become a model for other countries by successfully marrying innovation with a family-focused environment and concluded by recommending that the emirate build the world's largest children's playground to place it firmly on the map as a family-oriented city.
An overview of Sharjah's economic landscape was also given by Hazem Galal, global leader, cities and local government sector at PwC, who highlighted Sharjah's ever growing foreign trade, which was valued at Dh9.54 billion in 2005 and Dh42 billion in 2013. Galal also drew attention to Sharjah's tourism sector which is set to be an increasingly important driver of the emirate's GDP growth. He pointed out that in 2015 the market size for Sharjah's tourism sector reached Dh1.2 billion and was on progress to hit Dh1.5 billion by year-end 2016.
Also included in the programme were brainstorming sessions, workshops and group presentations led by corporate training organisation 'Select.' Participants used the sessions to successfully come up with strategic solutions for Sharjah's potential economic challenges. These strategic solutions highlighted multiple resolutions on the way forward for Sharjah as a brand, as an investment and tourism destination, its investment environment and its connectivity and infrastructure. - rohma@khaleejtimes.com