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The panel included leading figures driving Sharjah’s development agenda: His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA); His Excellency Ahmed Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); His Excellency Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah); Her Excellency Sara Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa); and His Excellency Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK).
His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, highlighted the tourism sector as a resilient, high-growth pillar of Sharjah’s diverse economy, contributing over 10% of the emirate’s non-oil GDP. “We expect 1.9 million visitors by the end of 2025 after welcoming 1.47 million in the first nine months,” he stated.
Al Midfa highlighted Sharjah’s ongoing investments in infrastructure, including airport expansion and improved road connectivity to boost tourism access. He reiterated that eco-tourism and cultural tourism remain key to Sharjah’s strategy, aiming to increase tourism’s economic contribution from AED 200 billion in 2023 to AED 450 billion by 2031.
His Excellency Ahmed Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq, outlined the authority’s extensive investment portfolio covering real estate, hospitality, leisure, entertainment, and arts and culture. He emphasised that innovation, sustainability, and responsible development are the foundations of Sharjah’s vision for growth, supported by over AED 7 billion in investments facilitated through public–private partnerships.
“Our goal is to keep developing projects that not only boost Sharjah’s profile but also create ecosystems that foster culture, innovation, and sustainability,” he said. “Sharjah remains a top destination for visitors, skilled talent, and investors who value forward-looking, progressive environments.”
His Excellency Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, positioned Sharjah as a growing hub of global investment flows, supported by both local and international partnerships. He announced that the emirate’s foreign direct investment (FDI) surged by 361% in the first half of 2025, reaching a record $1.5 billion. This was accompanied by a 57% increase in projects and a 45% rise in job creation compared to the previous year.
He emphasised Sharjah’s growing significance in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and research sectors, with strong momentum in both greenfield investments (new ventures) and brownfield expansions (existing firms). “SIF–WIC 2025 exemplifies how Sharjah brings the world together through collaboration, opportunity, and vision,” he concluded.
Her Excellency Sara Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, outlined the centre’s role in positioning Sharjah as a global hub for entrepreneurship through initiatives such as the Access Sharjah Challenge and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF), now the most significant event of its kind in the region, having attracted over 44,000 visitors across its editions.
“Sustainability is a core value of Sharjah’s innovation ecosystem,” she said. “Sheraa embodies this by fostering an environment where startups not only thrive but also generate meaningful social and economic impact through collaboration and responsible innovation.”
His Excellency Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SPARK, emphasised the park’s aim to unite entrepreneurs, academia, industry, and government in pursuit of a knowledge-driven, sustainable economy. “Sharjah’s future lies in harnessing cutting-edge innovation to foster sustainable industrial diversification,” he said.
In 2025, SPARK launched 38 pilot technology projects promoting Industry 4.0 and green technologies, while attracting significant high-value research investment. “Innovation attracts investment, and investment fuels innovation; this is the cycle of progress,” Al Mahmoudi remarked, emphasising Sharjah’s dedication to building a globally competitive, innovation-driven economy.
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