Business leaders, industrialists and economists attending the second day of the Euromoney Emirates Conference have been told the Emirate of Sharjah is becoming one of the most progressive markets in the region, marking a major milestone in its economic history.“

Adil Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer, Al Zarooni Emirates Investments, said; “These are amazing times for Sharjah. There is a fresh breeze blowing through the emirate that brings innovation, investment and opportunity. It is progressing at a speed that has never before been seen.” He went on to describe Sharjah as a natural home to stable, middle-class families who seek security and a high quality of life.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah the conference is co-hosted and organised by Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) at the Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort.

Speaking at a special investment session, Al Zarooni told the conference that many investors are “spraying money” at SMEs and start-ups, hoping to win the statistics game. Some ventures will pay off, he said, but that would never result in long-term success.

“You have to be very selective and very hands-on. It’s hard work to build a business, but you have to keep investing time and money that’s when you’ll see real growth. Again, here in Sharjah is an excellent investment destination.”

Keynote address

Day two at the Euromoney Emirates Conferences Sharjah 2017 took off with a keynote address by HE Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the UAE. New and improved regulations to keep meeting the aspirations of investors in the local market, in line with the UAE Vision 2021, was at the core of his message.

“One of our KPI’s is to provide financial support with a diversified array of instruments that cater to specific business needs in a competitive market, enabling knowledge, innovation and skill to fully flourish. The UAE markets will continue to remain attractive for foreign as well as local investors,” he said, explaining that SCA’s main focus is on new technologies that are being introduced to financial markets in the UAE with a view to implement a suitable regulatory approach that will benefit both the market and the investor.

“The national agenda seeks to place the UAE among the top 10 countries in the world in the Global Competitiveness Index. All government institutions, including the SCA, have joined efforts towards reaching this goal.”

Keynote interview with HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal CEO, Shurooq

In an insightful interview with the Shurooq CEO conducted by Richard Banks of Euromoney, it was discussed how Sharjah and the UAE find themselves at the heart of the fourth industrial revolution, embracing a disruptive economy, and, the recent political and economic developments around the globe to make the most out of it.