7th edition of ‘Come On Kerala’ launches with over 300 exhibitors

Sharjah 24: The seventh edition of the Indian trade, cultural and entertainment exhibition Come On Kerala commenced yesterday, Friday, at Expo Centre Sharjah, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and will run until May 11.

Organised in collaboration with SCCI

Organised by Gulf Madhyamam in collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the exhibition is the Middle East's largest and most prominent platform dedicated to celebrating the Indian culture and the state of Kerala in particular.

Official inauguration ceremony

The exhibition was officially inaugurated by His Excellency Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI and Expo Centre Sharjah, in the presence of His Excellency Mohamed Ali Hilal Al Hazami, SCCI Board Member, and His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah.

Attendees and dignitaries

Also present were Jamal Saeed Bouzanjal, Director of Corporate Communication at SCCI, and Hamza Abbas, Chief Editor of Gulf Madhyamam, along with prominent business figures and economic experts from both the UAE and the Republic of India.

Exhibition tour highlights

Following the opening ceremony, attendees toured the exhibition’s various pavilions which feature a broad spectrum of industries such as healthcare, tourism, education, retail, and interior design. They explored both public and private sector pavilions showcasing their latest innovations, products, and investment offerings. The tour also included a preview of cultural and artistic performances highlighting the depth of Kerala’s and India’s traditional heritage.

Statement by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais

His Excellency Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said that “Come On Kerala” exhibition is a key component of the Sharjah Chamber’s strategic agenda to foster a robust local business environment and facilitate access to high-potential global markets, particularly the Indian market; given the strategic partnership between the UAE and India across trade, economic, and investment domains.

Strengthening UAE–India business ties

He added that the exhibition plays a vital role in forging lasting partnerships between Emirati and Indian enterprises, supporting product diversification, enhancing Sharjah’s economic competitiveness, and promoting sustainable long-term growth.

Remarks by Saif Mohammed Al Midfa

For his part, His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Midfa stated that Expo Centre Sharjah takes pride in hosting the “Come On Kerala” exhibition that has distinguished itself as a milestone and flagship event in the emirate’s calendar.

Promoting regional access and business collaboration

He noted that the exhibition serves as an ideal platform for Indian companies to access regional markets, facilitating communication, partnerships and knowledge sharing between business sectors from both sides, and establishing successful trade and investment collaborations.

Hamza Abbas on event growth

Hamza Abbas expressed his delight and satisfaction at the continued success of the “Come On Kerala” exhibition, noting that this year the exhibition is witnessing a significant increase in the number of exhibitors and the scale of its parallel activities.

Participation and expected turnout

This year’s edition features the participation of over 300 exhibitors, including government entities and major private sector companies from the UAE and India, and is expected to attract more than 275,000 visitors over its three-day duration.

Cultural and entertainment programmes

The event’s agenda includes more than 20 diverse cultural and entertainment programmes, including live artistic and musical performances featuring prominent Bollywood stars such as actor Mohanlal and actress Priya Mani.

Family-friendly experiences and creative layout

The exhibition also offers interactive family-friendly activities, further enriching the visitor experience with exhibit halls and showrooms creatively designed to reflect Kerala’s most famous landmarks and iconic sites.

Broad institutional participation

The exhibition distinguishes itself this year through the participation of numerous government entities and a group of leading private institutions and companies from the UAE and India operating across various economic sectors.

Upgraded layout and dedicated zones

Its upgraded layout is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of exhibitors and visitors alike, incorporating sector-specific pavilions covering a wide range of industries, along with a dedicated Indian culinary zone, a business networking area, and a purpose-built space for startup enterprises.