Sharjah Economic Development Department “SEDD” organized “Towards Sustainable Industrial Future” Forum, which was attended by number of officials and investors in the industrial sector in Sharjah and UAE. During the forum, the pioneering experience of SEDD in the industrial sector was reviewed. The meeting also dealt with the most important facilities and privileges provided by the participating parties to this sector, and touched on the challenges facing the industrial sector, and included exchanging opinions and thoughts that could contribute to support and improve such sector.

At the beginning of the meeting, SEDD gave a detailed explanation of the industrial office licensing procedures in the emirate of Sharjah. After that, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology presented a presentation of the Manufacturers Program, while the Federal Tax Authority gave a presentation about the value-added tax procedures and the VAT registration mechanism. On the other hand, the Emirates Development Bank reviewed the financing solutions provided for the industrial sector.

The meeting also discussed the role of the private sector in supporting and developing the industrial sector. Also, it highlighted their role in supporting the economic development in Sharjah, and how they help in enhancing the emirate's gross domestic product, especially in light of the diversity of industrial products, which were not limited to the oil derivatives industries, but extended to include the aviation, aluminum, building materials, food and pharmaceutical industries.

Commenting on that, HE Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, SEDD Chairman affirmed that the Department is always keen to strengthen Sharjah's position as a regional and global center for industry. Also, the Department works intensively to achieve a competitive, innovative and national knowledge-based economy, due to the the importance of the industrial sector in supporting the policy of diversifying the economy and keeping pace with the changes taking place thus to aware investors about them.

HE explained that the wise directives of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the continuous pursuit of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council. In addition to the decisions issued by the Government of Sharjah, contributed to strengthening the role of the industrial sector in the GDP. HE clarified that these decisions contributed at attracting investors in the Emirate and motivating investments. They also support strengthening Sharjah’s regional leadership and local as well as global position. Also, such decisions play an important role in providing the appropriate climate and the best environment for customers and investors as well as decision makers. Likewise, they contribute to maintaining the sustainability of economic development in the emirate and enabling operating institutions and companies to carry on their business and activities. HE pointed out that the presence of many industrial zones and cities in addition to the diversity in industrialization and sustainability in Sharjah also contributed significantly to creating a fertile environment for investors in the industrial sector.

From her side, Mariam Nasir Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director of Industrial Affairs Department at SEDD, illustrated that Sharjah has succeeded in creating an appropriate and strong legislative and legal environment that supports visions and plans for the industrial sector and is able to keep pace with the fourth industrial revolution. She carried on that the emirate was able to embody the government's directions to make Sharjah a leading global model in proactively confronting the challenges of the industrial future. Likely, she explained that the industrial sector is one of the main engines supporting the economic development in Sharjah and plays a pivotal role in enhancing the emirate's GDP. In addition, she affirmed Sharjah's progress towards achieving the targeted economic diversification through government laws and legislations that support and encourage the industrial sector.

Moreover, Mariam stressed that SEDD aims to create an ideal climate for investment and business continuity that contributes to encouraging factories and companies to enhance their production, and to provide all means and capabilities to raise the volume of production. She added that SEDD pays great attention to help factories reach their maximum production capacity by implementing initiatives and programs that support them.