Sharjah seeks to benefit from Silk Road revival
Aiming to better integrate regional economies into China's global supply chain, Sharjah showcased the key role it can play in the revival of the old 'Silk Road' at a recent high-profile event held in Xiamen, China. At the WTCA (World Trade Centers Association Inc) Access China Program's 18th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah, successfully presented World Trade Centre Sharjah and the Middle East region to the Chinese and international business community.
WTCA-CIFIT is the world's largest international investment and promotion fair. It featured more than 30,000 potential investment projects and attracted companies and government organizations from 54 countries and regions.
With China emerging as a leader in global trade, Mr. Midfa stressed the importance of the centuries-old link between the Middle East and Asia, known as the 'Silk Road', which represents the global demand and supply chains emerging from China and covering the whole of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean region.
"The UAE, with its strategic location, international connectivity, growing linkages to Africa & other regions and the quality and efficiency of its infrastructure, can serve as the logistics hub for China. CIFIT served as an excellent platform to reinforce the strong friendship and cooperation between the two countries given that our relations, especially on the economic, trade and investment fronts, are on the upswing," said Mr. Midfa.
With the event highlighting investment opportunities in the countries along the ancient routes, Mr. Midfa stressed the role WTC Sharjah and Expo Centre Sharjah can play in facilitating trade movement, and emphasised the strong potential of the Middle East and North Africa region, with Mena-China trade galloping 50-fold in the past two decades to nearly US$300 billion last year.
During the visit, Mr. Midfa also held talks with Mr. Ghazi Abu Nahl, Chairman - World Trade Centers Association Inc., and Mr. Eric R. Dahl, Chief Executive Officer - World Trade Centers Association Inc.
Recognising the importance of the UAE and other countries along the trade route, the event had a dedicated exhibition area for the new maritime Silk Road, featuring investment opportunities, key projects and products by countries and regions along the 'Maritime Silk Road' and the 'Land Silk Road'.
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