Discussing emirate's role in stimulating creativity SEDD organizes "Sharjah, Pulse of Entrepreneurship and Innovation" Seminar

Sharjah Economic Development Department “SEDD” organized "Sharjah, Pulse of Entrepreneurship and Innovation" seminar that was attended by number of experts, specialists, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors. This seminar was held in order to promote the environment of innovation and entrepreneurship as well as to discuss Sharjah’s role in promoting creativity, innovation, and economic diversification.

At the beginning of the seminar, Noura Yousif bin Sandal, Deputy Director of Planning and Economic Studies Department at SEDD, gave a welcoming speech at which she praised Sharjah’s strong vision for supporting an innovative and competitive investment environment and facilitating innovation. She emphasized that the emirate has not only adopted supportive policies, but has also worked to build an integrated system that combines incentives, advanced infrastructure, and ambition.

The seminar discussed several topics, most notably the role of innovation in creating incubator zones for startups, local and global entrepreneurship and the challenges facing entrepreneurs. Also, it highlighted the role of technology in accelerating innovation, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the transition to digital services. It also addressed government support, initiatives, policies, and legislation, as well as the importance of coordination between the public and private sectors.

Therefore, SEDD reviewed Sharjah’s economic and investment achievements over the past three years (2021-2024), and its role in supporting decision-makers and guiding economic policies. Additionally, it presented innovative proactive services, such as artificial intelligence applications in licensing procedures and electronic connectivity, to simplify procedures and reduce transactions. The seminar also featured a presentation on industrial sector incentives.

Furthermore, the seminar included a presentation on the most prominent investment opportunities in promising sectors and the facilities provided to attract global investors, presented by the Sharjah FDI Office. Likewise, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry introduced several initiatives to support businesses and startups and expand the scope of trade and industry.

To carry on, the seminar included a presentation of the success story of an innovative company, its role in highlighting a practical model of innovation, a presentation of the journey of development and growth, the type of innovation and its challenges, the role of technology and research in the success of projects, and the incentives and facilities the company received.

The seminar was accompanied by a workshop for university students, which included an interactive session to discuss ideas and come up with practical recommendations to support entrepreneurship and innovation in Sharjah. The session also featured a presentation of the most important initiatives related to attracting commercial investment (Bairaq and e-commerce licenses), and a presentation of the most important facilities provided to entrepreneurs and owners of innovative projects.

Commenting on this event, Noura Yousif bin Sandal, Deputy Director of Economic Planning and Studies Department, said that the emirate is enjoying many features and privileges that help to end up with a promising future that is build based on knowledge and innovation. Also, she pointed out that SEDD believes that investing in the minds and ideas of young people is the best way to achieve sustainable leadership and enhance the emirate's position on the global economic map.

Moreover, bi Sandal clarified that SEDD places innovation and entrepreneurship at the heart of its development plans, working to provide an attractive business environment and supporting entrepreneurs with the tools and opportunities that help them transform their ideas into successful projects that contribute to economic diversification and enhance Sharjah's position as a preferred destination for investment and creativity.