SEDD participates at SIF 2023

10-02-2023

Sharjah Economic Development Department “SEDD” participated at Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF) sixth edition that was held under the theme “Redefining Economies: Making Significant Strides for a Better Future” that was held at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre by Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah). The Forum hosted a number of panel discussions and interactive workshops with the participation of elite decision-makers, senior government officials, executives, investors and businessmen locally and globally.

SEDD participated at the panel discussion entitled “Investment Environment in Sharjah”, and also presented through its platform all the services and facilities provided to investors. The Department also participated in the forum panels through number of speakers.

Likewise, SEDD stressed that Sharjah is characterized by a unique family economic model that is supervised by HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which drives sustainability and economic development in the emirate. Also, the advanced projects and the growing infrastructure that HH directed and supervised raised the growth of the gross domestic product of Sharjah during the past years.

Furthermore, SEDD indicated that Sharjah embraces more than 64,000 licenses. Thus, it has paid attention to developing, improving and simplifying investor’s communication mechanism with the Department during the last period. This was attained through adopting a number of systems such as the smart investor service, as well as obtaining ISO 22301 of business continuity. Likekly, it was achieved by accomplishing the e-linking of licensing processes, providing inquiry services for a number of partners, enabling extraction of licensing requirements, investment and work in businessmen’s offices, increasing digital transactions, inquiries and complaints service, and renewing license as well as estimating license renewal fees. It should be noted that the effective communication between SEDD and investors also contributed to achieving business growth in 2022, at a rate of 6%, and increased the percentage of customer satisfaction.

SEDD also explained that it follows the best economic work quality standards to accelerate and modernize service systems and implement customer service standards. This enabled it to grant ISO 10001 certificates for customer service, ISO 10002 for dealing with complaints, and ISO 10004 for monitoring and measuring customer satisfaction. Likely, SEDD adopts more than five areas of business, including facilitating licensing procedures, encouraging investment, providing safe markets, continuous promotion of investment, business environment, and developing digital infrastructure.

Commenting on that, HE Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, SEDD Chairman, illustrated that Sharjah Investment Forum, in its new edition, is a gateway for economic and investment communication with the world, especially since the country has become a prestigious global trade and investment center. HE added that SIF represents a valuable opportunity for a direct meeting between various investors, government representatives, and specialized agencies and institutions in the world.

Moreover, HE clarified that SIF is a valuable opportunity for the Department to introduce investors to the future of business in the emirate, and the services and facilities it provides to business owners and companies. Likely, HE pointed out that SEDD succeeded through its focus on organizing and revitalizing the economic sectors in the emirate in order to encourage local and international investments in commercial projects and others. This represents one of the main objectives that the Department is working to achieve, by creating an economic climate suitable for growth and attracting investments.

Additionally, HE said that SEDD works to simplify services and procedures, with the aim of facilitating business registration procedures, issuing business licenses, and providing greater flexibility for investors and dealers, in a way that allows them to establish their businesses within a short period of time. Also, SEDD is always there to assist investors through coordination with various other local and federal government agencies.

Also, SEDD took part at the workshops organized during the Forum such as the workshop entitled “Strat from Sharjah” which was held by Sharjah Foundation for Supporting Entrepreneurship "RUWAD". The workshop reviewed the Foundation's services and provided advice to entrepreneurs, an explanation of the life cycle of small projects and the importance of continuing work for the entrepreneur, particularly in the early stages and years of the project. It should be noted that the Foundation has supported the national industry and industrial companies in Sharjah, with a total financing of industrial projects amounting to about 4.5 million dirhams.