Sharjah is to embark on an development project to create parks and recreation areas for several of its key industrial zones. The initiative follows recommendations from Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority (SLSDA), which coordinates with government agencies and private enterprises in the emirate towards continually raising local labour standards. The SLSDA objectives include developing employment best practices and procedures, facilities ...

Sharjah-based property company Al Thuriah has announced Sahara Tower 6, the final project in its 3.1 million square foot (288,000 sqm.) Sahara Complex on Sharjah’s Al Nahda Street, near to the border with Dubai. The new tower will complete the residential development, which includes 1,348 apartments, plus a variety of services and facilities. The last of six residential towers, the ...

September’s Sharjah FDI Forum will zoom in on the importance of global trade and connectedness for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With one of the most diversified economies in the region, Sharjah is home to more than 45,000 SMEs and the government has identified SMEs are a key pillar for the emirate’s economic growth. SMEs have been recognised as critical ...

The United Arab Emirates is the largest trade partner in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), with a 2014 trade volume of US$121.7 billion (AED 444b) accounting for 15.2 percent of total intra-OIC trade, according to Secretary-General of the Federation of UAE Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Humaid bin Salim. Turkey had the next highest level of trade with US$77.8 ...

Sharjah Businesswomen Council (SBWC) is to launch a new start-up incubator programme to help Emirati women entrepreneurs bring new business ideas to life. Formed under the patronage of Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Honorary Chairperson of SBWC in collaboration with Education For Employment (EFE), the new initiative is called ‘Jeel’ (‘generation’ in Arabic) and will support start-ups in cities ...

The United Arab Emirates is the world’s third strongest country brand, according to the annual Nation Brand survey carried out by London-based consultancy Brand Finance. The UAE ranks after Singapore and Switzerland in the evaluation of the world’s top 100 nation brands, with a brand value of US$ 403 billion (AED 1.48 trillion). While the USA topped the Nation Brand ...

The UAE Ministry of Finance has announced that local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) can now register in the Federal Register of Suppliers free-of-charge in an effort to support Emirati startups. According to the terms, the SMEs must be owned by UAE citizens and must register with the Federal Register during the first two years of their establishment. The Ministry’s ...

The International Monetory Fund (IMF) has estimated the United Arab Emirates’ average economic growth at 3.6 percent for 2014, and forecasts 3.2 percent in 2015. Despite lower oil prices, sluggish global growth, and volatility regional markets, the UAE remains one of the fastest growing economies in the world with strong non-oil economy growth of 4.8 percent (2014). According to the ...

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah were listed among the world’s top cities in ‘Economic Potential’ by the 2014/2015 Global Cities of the Future report produced by fDI intelligence, a division of the Financial Times (FT) specialising in foreign direct investment. Abu Dhabi and Dubai were listed in the report’s overall Top 25 cities list, while Sharjah and ...

Sharjah 2015, the twelfth edition of the World Forum for Foreign Direct Investment, hosted by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) came to a close on Tuesday. Opened by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah this year’s World Forum marks the first time that the event has ...