The Department of Economic Development in Sharjah completed 8,977 licenses issued and renewed during the third quarter of this year, according to the data on business licenses issued and renewed in the department’s branches located in the cities and regions of the Emirate of Sharjah.

In detail, the number of issued and renewed licenses in the Industrial Branch reached 5978 during the third quarter of this year, while the Central Region branch came second with a total of 1661 licenses, and the Khor Fakkan branch came third with a total of 618 licenses, and the Kalba branch came fourth with a total of 607 licenses, then Dibba Al Hisn branch with 113 issued licenses and renewed.

Teams of commercial officers in the branches of the Department of Economic Development in the Eastern and Central Region and Industrial Zones carried out 38,140 supervisory visits during the third quarter, an increase of 84% over the same period in 2020, as these teams work continuously to ensure the safety of all economic practices in economic establishments in all regions of the emirate. The branches of the department have also intensified their role during the current period in order to ensure that all establishments comply with the instructions, circulars and policies regulating the practice of business within the precautionary and preventive measures.

In the context of the geographical distribution and the number of supervisory tours of the department’s branches during the same period, the Industrial Branch recorded the highest rate in the number of supervisory tours, with a total of 21,576 visits, while the number of tours in the Central Region branch reached 8,450 visits, while the number of visits in the Khorfakkan branch reached 3746. The number of visits in the Kalba branch reached 3302, and 1066 visits in the Dibba Al-Hisn branch.

Attractive investment environment

Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Head of the Department of Economic Development in Sharjah, explained that the movement of business licenses during the third quarter confirms the strength of the local economy and the attractiveness of the investment environment, which are indicators that indicate a sustainable growth for the economy of the Emirate of Sharjah, where the emirate has a strategy through which it seeks to maintain the pace Good growth rates during the next phase, which depend on attracting elements that include the distinguished geographical location, the great development witnessed by the service sectors, and the continuous development of services to match the highest international quality standards in terms of speed of delivery and access to dealers in the economic sector and investors in the emirate, and striving to complete transactions easily and conveniently. .

He stressed that the economic strategy adopted by the “Sharjah Economy”, which is in line with the directions of the wise leadership of the UAE, ensures the achievement of good growth rates and constantly developed, where work and development are continuing in all cities of the emirate and continuously from an urban renaissance that was clearly reflected on the development and development projects, which works To attract more visitors, boost the economy and increase investments in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Khalfan Al Harithi, Director of Branches Department, pointed out that the cities of “Al Sharqiya” are witnessing a remarkable investment movement, as the huge development projects launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah in the region, had a great impact on the economic sector. The indicators of the department for the last period show that the rates of issuing business licenses have achieved a remarkable increase of 18% compared to last year, which bodes well for a commercial and economic recovery in the region.

He stressed that the department’s provision of advanced digital services and the employment of the latest remote communication technologies to communicate with partners and the public of customers and ensure the provision of services to them smoothly and safely, contributed to encouraging and motivating their business and expanding their trade and economic activities in the emirate, in addition to other attractions from a distinguished geographical location supported by the continuity of movement The development, where a number of tourism and urban facilities and tourism and commercial projects were opened, which will contribute to increasing the demand for investment in them.

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The UAE ranked first regionally in terms of attractiveness to attract foreign investment, according to a report prepared by “Oxford Economics”. The British Foundation said that for many countries in the Middle East, attracting foreign direct investment is an important pillar in the growth diversification strategy, and the UAE aims to become one of the top ten destinations for foreign direct investment by 2030, while Saudi Arabia recently announced that it hopes to attract foreign direct investment of $100 billion.

The report indicated that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries focus on enhancing the quality of infrastructure and developing business systems in order to attract more foreign direct investment, as countries generally spend between 4% and 10% of GDP on infrastructure, which can be compared to spending before some Asian economies.

As a result, the quality of infrastructure in the GCC countries ranks relatively high. According to the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, the quality of the UAE’s infrastructure rivals that of Singapore.

Oxford Economics expects the UAE’s spending on infrastructure to rise to 4.1% of GDP.

The GCC economies are likely to continue investing in improving their infrastructure, as they have ambitious growth and diversification plans and the financial resources to make the investment. The PPP market can help support infrastructure investment across the wider region, and Dubai and Kuwait are likely to be prominent markets at present in the region, by launching public-private partnership programs for roads and other infrastructure, but there are There is room for other countries to also benefit from the public-private partnership.

Oxford Economics measures the relative attractiveness of foreign direct investment in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa on the basis of factors that affect the viability of business in a country, the domestic market, and the potential export market.

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Sharjah Child Friendly Office brought the laurel home ahead of World Children’s Day For the second year in a row, Sharjah has won the prestigious Unicef Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) Inspire Award. The win comes ahead of World Children’s Day, which is observed annually on November 20.

The Unicef Cities Inspire Award is one of the most renowned global awards given to innovative and inspiring initiatives of child-friendly cities under six categories.

Sharjah Child Friendly Office brought the laurel home by showcasing excellence in its Sharjah Child Friendly City Project, which was launched in 2016, based on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

The project aimed to protect and elevate the rights and well-being of children of all ages in Sharjah, without discrimination as to gender, nationality or ability. It is tasked with creating joint child friendly strategies in cooperation with more than 30 relevant entities.

The ongoing Sharjah Child Friendly City project’s strategic objectives are inspired by the five main goals of Child Friendly Cities Initiatives (CFCI): every child and young person is valued, respected and treated fairly within their communities and by local authorities; their voice, needs and priorities heard and considered; has access to quality essential social services; lives in a safe, secure and clean environment; and has opportunities to enjoy family life, play and leisure.

Dr Hessa Khalfan Al Ghazal, executive director of SCFO, said the award was the culmination of Sharjah’s efforts under the directives of the Ruler of Sharjah and Sheikha Jawaher to strengthen its child-friendly initiatives under a four-year action plan in 2018 in partnership with Unicef.

Discussion sessions with children and youth had resulted in several outcomes that had been implemented successfully, such as the Child Friendly Urban Planning initiative; Child Friendly Schools and Nurseries initiative; Child Friendly Media initiative; Sharjah Children and Youth Carnivals; and the Child Rights Dissemination initiative.

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The fifth edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF), one of the largest events for entrepreneurs in the region, organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), will kick off Monday, at Expo Centre Sharjah under the slogan #WhereStarsCollide.

With the participation of 55 speakers, including influential regional and global entrepreneurs, industry titans, and young creatives from social, cultural and sports sectors, and more, the two-day festival will discuss ways to make a meaningful impact and promote positive change in the entrepreneurship sector in the UAE as well as the region. It will bring together more than 4,000 entrepreneurs and founders of startups across sectors on one platform to share their experiences and motivate them to make a positive impact in their communities.

The festival will host Lewis Howes, New York Times bestselling author of The School of Greatness and The Mask of Masculinity; Michael Acton Smith, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Calm; Omar Nour, Egypt’s first professional triathlete; and filmmaker Ali Tabrizi, director of the documentary series Seaspiracy, one of the most watched on Netflix, among others.

Other eminent speakers include Omar Samra, the first Egyptian to climb the 7 Summits, which include Mt. Everest; Tahmima Anam, author of The Startup Wife; Aida Muluneh, Ethiopian photographer and contemporary artist; and Anas Bukhash, who runs the influencer marketing and talent management consultancy, Bukhash Brothers, as well as the popular YouTube show AB Talks.

The festival will present 27 activities which include six inspiring keynotes, 12 discussion sessions and nine training workshops. The keynotes will revolve around the themes: “50 Years Of The UAE: The Growth of an Entrepreneurial Nation”, “Aiming for the Stars”, and “Stepping Into Your Power: Why You Need To Awaken The Spiritual Entrepreneur in You”, “Mindset of an Entrepreneur”, and “Chasing Greatness”.

The discussion sessions include: “What does it feel like to be a Change-maker?”, “Keep Calm and Carry On: Turning Your Dreams into Reality,” “Mind Over Matter: Rethinking the Hustle and Grind of Being an Entrepreneur”; “Today’s Employees, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Lessons from The Careem Cartel”; “Reality Bites: Going Meta About the Metaverse”; “The Untold Truths About Being a Great CEO”; “Financing your Startup: The Key Funding Options Available For Your Business”; “Making Change Happen”; “Subverting Stereotypes: Rethinking Gender Dynamics in the Startup Realm”; “Coming Home: Why Sharjah is the Right Startup Hub for Long-term Thinking Entrepreneurs”; and “I’m an Entrepreneur Too: Giving Creatives Their Due”.

The global educational institution, Mind Valley International, is organizing SEF’s training workshops which are designed to help entrepreneurs and startup founders pursue their passion for learning to achieve their goals.

SEF 2021 is being organised in partnership with the ICT Fund – an initiative of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and the Digital Government of the United Arab Emirates, Sharjah Media City (Shams), Alef Group, and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.

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Sharjah Islamic Bank announced its approval of a proposal to allow foreign investors (all nationalities) to own 40% of Sharjah Islamic Bank shares.

The bank confirmed in a statement that this proposal will be submitted to the General Assembly, to discuss it and take the appropriate decision in this regard, according to what was reported by the official Emirates Today newspaper.

“Sharjah Islamic” reported an increase in net profit by 29.6%, after recording a net profit of 458 million dirhams (about 124 million dollars) for the nine-month period ending on September 30, 2021, compared to 353.4 million dirhams for the same period of the previous year. This was reflected in an increase in its operating profit by 29.3%, which amounted to 652.9 million dirhams, compared to 504.8 million dirhams for the same period in 2020.

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The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) on Saturday announced four new hospitality projects in Sharjah.

In a statement, the Sharjah-based company said four new luxury hospitality projects will be launched in Sharjah’s Central and Eastern regions. It included Al Jabal Resort in Khorfakkan, a luxurious hotel in Kalba, a hotel in Khorfakkan which will feature UAE’s first waterpark in the east coast; and Al Bridi Resort at the Sharjah Safari project in Al Dhaid.

In addition, the Mysk Moon Retreat has also begun welcoming guests and bookings to experience the emirate’s first-of-its-kind luxury glamping destination, it added.

“With Mysk Moon Retreat now welcoming guests and bookings, this marks an exciting expansion of Shurooq’s portfolio of boutique hospitality offerings in the central region of Sharjah. It is the latest destination in a series of projects developed here, namely, the Mysk Al Faya Retreat, Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism, and the Mleiha Archaeological Centre,” Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, executive chairman of Shurooq, said.

The family-friendly Mysk Moon Retreat comprises 10 single-bed domes with private pools, four family tents with private pools, and 2 single-bed tents. Each unit is self-sufficient and fitted with all essential amenities that guests would require, including a private barbeque area, in addition to a lobby, and a common area.

The Mysk Moon Retreat is part of Shurooq’s Sharjah Collection brand, managed by Mysk by Shaza, which includes the Mysk Kingfisher Retreat in Kalba, Mysk Al Faya Retreat in Mleiha, and Mysk Al Badayer Retreat in the heart of the Al Badayer desert.

Eco-luxury retreat

Al Sarkal pointed out that the eco-luxury retreat provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities like trekking, dune bashing, and nature-inspired experiences in the rugged Mleiha landscape.

Guests at Mysk Moon Retreat will have access to a wide range of activities offered by Shurooq’s tourism destinations in Mleiha, in addition to enjoy the calm and tranquil environment of Mleiha through the retreat’s restaurant and a café, as the destination is situated away from all types of noise and light pollutions.

Shurooq’s latest hospitality offering, Jabal Resort, overlooks the pristine waters of the Soueifa Beach, situated between Khorfakkan Beach and Luluya Beach, and comprises of 45 eco-friendly units with choices of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms, and a private royal suite with swimming pool. In addition, the 187,000sqm project which is being developed on the slopes of the Al Soueifa mountain, will feature a restaurant, gym, kids play zone, reception, and lobby.

“Various attractions around the project will be connected via walking routes and tracks with a completion date set for March 2022,” according to a Shurooq statement.

5-star luxury hotel, waterpark in Khorfakkan

Al Sarkal also announced the development of a new 28,000sqm hospitality project in Khorfakkan, opposite the Khorfakkan Port, to cater to the needs of families and adventurers seeking new hospitality experiences.

He revealed that the project will feature 75 luxurious units, UAE’s first waterpark in the east coast, shopping complex, restaurant, gym, spa, marina, and residential units.

5-star hotel in Kalba

Announcing the new hospitality project in Kalba on Sharjah’s eastern coast, Al Sarkal stated that this region which lies on the southern coast of the UAE, next to the Kalba waterfront project, opposite to Kalba flag square

Shurooq’s new 12,500 sqm project here lies in the vicinity of the region’s renowned diving locations. It includes 80 units, two restaurants including a café in the lobby, a gym, spa, swimming pool and meeting halls.

Al Bridi Resort, Petting Zoo in Al Dhaid

Al Sarkal noted that “Al Bridi Resort” in Al Dhaid, Shurooq’s latest tourism attraction in Sharjah’s central region which is being developed in partnership with the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, as part of the “Sharjah Safari” project, the largest safari in the world outside Africa, is expected to start at the end of this year.

Al Sarkal also announced that Shurooq has started developing “Al Dhaid Farm”, the city’s first petting zoo experience, near The Flag Square in Al Dhaid, which set to feature a wide range of entertainment activities and experiences for families and children along with domestic farm animals.

Shurooq also announced it has begun operations in expanding both Mysk Kingfisher Retreat in Kalba and Mysk Al Badayer Retreat in the natural dunes of Al Badayer, in response to the growing demand which both destinations experienced over the past years.

Mysk Kingfisher Retreat will be housing 20 new luxurious tents, varying between 4-bedroom and 2-bedroom units, and Mysk Al Badayer Retreat will house 15 new tents for an oasis, in addition to an outdoor swimming pool open to all guests at the retreat.

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UAE rises to fourth spot in HSBC’s Top 10 countries to live and work

The UAE climbed 10 places to be ranked fourth best country in the world to live and work, according to HSBC’s 14th annual Expat Explorer study, which tracks the sentiments of over 20,000 people who live and work abroad.

The vast majority of expats surveyed in the UAE (82 per cent) feel optimistic that life will be more stable and normal again in the next 12 months despite the after-effects of the pandemic. Around 53 per cent expect an increase in their income and 57 per cent believe they will be getting a better work-life balance.

Other top countries are:

Switzerland

Australia

New Zealand

Guernsey

Jersey

Isle of Man

Bahrain

Singapore

Qatar

“The UAE being billed among the top five best places to live and work globally is inspiring and a clear indication of the huge potential that drives this country’s economy,” said Abdulfattah Sharaf, HSBC UAE CEO and Head of International Operations. “The country’s focus on innovation, infrastructure, quality of life, diversity and inclusion have made it the destination of choice for businesses and professionals looking to grow and prosper.”

Key findings

The progress of the UAE has been attractive for many who make this their home. The top three reasons cited by expats for choosing to move to the UAE are:

• To improve their earnings (56 per cent);
• To progress their career (49 per cent); and
• To improve their quality of life (43per cent).

Most expats in the UAE (86 per cent) say their overall quality of life is better than their home country, and six out of every 10 intend to stay longer for that reason. Only 11 per cent say the pandemic changed their plans of staying in the UAE. “The overwhelming sense of optimism from expats in the UAE about the 12 months ahead is reflective of the quick response from authorities to tackle the social and economic impact of the pandemic,” Abdulfattah said.

Culture and safety

In addition to a better quality of life, 80 per cent of respondents said their children are more aware and open to different cultures and experiences when here. “The UAE’s openness to diverse cultures and views is a key attraction for expats looking to make the country their home,” the HSBC chief said. “Expo 2020 is putting this commitment to diversity and openness on the global stage,” Abdulfattah said.

The International Government Communication Centre (IGCC), a subsidiary of Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), will organise five virtual training programmes between September 19 – 23, to enhance the capacity of professionals in the industry and initiate conversations around various topics concerning effective government communications.

The International Government Communication Centre (IGCC),  a subsidiary of Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), will organise five virtual training programmes between September 19 – 23, to enhance the capacity of professionals in the industry and initiate conversations around various topics concerning effective government communications.

The training sessions will be held as part of IGCC’s COMMS programme in the lead up to the 10th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF).

The COMMS programme will commence on September 19 at 10am with a session titled ‘Communicative Crisis and Risk Management through the CERC Model’ and will be led by Dr. Rahima Aissani, Assistant Professor at the College of Communication, University of Sharjah. At 11:15 am Dr. Ahmed Farouk, Head of the Department of Public Relations at University of Sharjah, will lead the session titled ‘Government Communication: Building Trust and Participation Factors’.

The third training session, titled ‘Ethics of Government Communication’, is scheduled for September 21 at 11.15am and will be presented by Dr. Sheren Ali Mousa, Faculty Member at the College of Mass Communication, Ajman University. On Thursday, September 23, Dr. Mohammad Ayish, Professor at the American University of Sharjah, will lead the session titled, ‘The Importance of Big Data and Social Analytics in Government Communication’, at 10am.

The COMMS programme will conclude its virtual training sessions with ‘Digital Content Creation Skills for Government Communication Platforms’ at 11.15am. The session will be presented by Dr. Amr Mohamed Abdelhamid, Assistant Professor at the College of Communication at Al Qasimia University, Egypt.

Individuals and/or organisations interested in attending the sessions can register on: https://shjmeeting.webex.com/meet/hend.almatrooshi

10th International Government Communication Forum

The 10th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) will be held on September 26 – 27 under the theme, ‘Historic lessons, Future ambitions’ at Expo Centre Sharjah. The two-day event, organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), aims to evaluate the historical experience of government communication, discuss its current realities, and envision its future regionally and globally.

The forum will discuss mechanisms to be future-ready for challenges resulting from unpredictable global scenarios and conditions and analyse government communication responses towards crises and devise scientific strategies that lay the foundation for effective communication mechanisms.

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Unit 2 will add a further 1,400MW of clean electricity to the grid when at full capacity

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has announced that its operations and maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), has connected Unit 2 of the Barakah nuclear energy plant to the UAE grid.

Following the start-up of Unit 2 last month, the Barakah plant became the first multi-unit operating nuclear plant in the UAE and Arab world.

After its connection, Unit 2 is in preparation to adding a further 1,400MW of clean electricity capacity to the UAE grid, with the first megawatts of emissions-free electricity from this unit now being dispatched to businesses, schools and homes, Abu Dhabi Government Media Office reported.

This takes ENEC and its subsidiaries closer to the half-way mark of its goal to supply up to a quarter of the country’s electricity needs 24/7, while driving reductions in carbon emissions, a statement said.

During the grid connection, the Unit 2 generator was integrated and synchronised with the requirements of the UAE’s national electricity transmission grid, ahead of the start of commercial operations. With the integration and connection complete, Unit 2’s nuclear operators will begin the process of gradually raising the power levels of the reactor, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT). Once the process is completed, Unit 2 will deliver thousands of additional megawatts of clean baseload electricity.

This testing will be conducted under the oversight of the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, FANR, which has now conducted more than 335 inspections since the start of Barakah’s development. This is in addition to over 42 missions and assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), the statement added.

The Nawah teams at Barakah have worked with the Abu Dhabi Transmission and Dispatch Company (TRANSCO), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), who constructed the overhead lines to connect the plant to the Abu Dhabi grid – ensuring the power generated at Barakah is safely delivered to consumers nationwide.

Unit 1 of the plant is now producing clean electricity around the clock while Units 3 and 4 are in the final stages of commissioning, at 95 per cent and 91 per cent completion respectively. The development of the Barakah plant as a whole is now more than 96 per cent complete. When fully operational, the plant will produce 5.6 gigawatts of free carbon electricity.

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Under the slogan “Sustainable Urban Planning and Competitive Services”, the Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey (SDTPS) approved its strategic plan 2022-2024, during a meeting held on Wednesday on the Flag Island in the Emirate of Sharjah.

His Excellency Eng. Khalid Butti Obaid bin Butti Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey (SDTPS), directors of departments and specialists, in the Office of Strategic Planning and Follow-up, attended the meeting.

His Excellency the Chairman  of  SDTPS indicated that the new strategic plan comes within the framework of keeping pace with the new global changes after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with regard to work systems in institutions, the quality of services they provide to the public, community participation and improving the system of partnerships and cooperation with service entities.

His Excellency pointed out that the new strategic plan is consistent with its strategic objectives and the ‘Principles of the 50′, document of the United Arab Emirates, which represents a platform for the country’s strategic path at all levels.

His Excellency stated that the strategic plan 2022-2024 included 4 main axes, which are: the axe of pioneering and sustainable urban environment, a competitive and innovative services axis, the axis of partnership and cooperative relations, and the axis of distinguished institutional enablers. All of which aim to achieve a number of strategic objectives, such as designing and developing a parallel and comprehensive urban environment according to the latest architectural and urban designs to be compatible with the urban culture and the architectural identity of the Emirate of Sharjah. In addition to promoting innovation and competitiveness in the provision of main, subsidiary and joint services, developing service delivery channels with re-engineering operations, including smart systems and electronic services, developing digital platforms and smart applications to achieve integration in services and provide excellent customer experience.

For her part, Fatima Al Hussan, Director of the Strategic Planning and Follow-up Office in SDTPS, drew attention to the importance of strengthening communication with all strategic partners, activating qualitative partnerships with all local, regional and international institutions related to the nature of the department’s work. In addition to benefiting from the outstanding community cadres and enhancing community involvement for all those concerned with the urban development process in the Emirate