The session, which was sponsored by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), attracted a huge number of the region’s leading business leaders, entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and policy makers, who listened as representatives from Shurooq and other Sharjah authorities delivered a number of sector-specific presentations.
“Forums such as this one form an excellent platform through which to explore ways in which various organisations and government entities can pursue mutually beneficial avenues of cooperation and collaboration and are a vital medium for enhancing bilateral relations on a number of levels,” welcoming attendees, Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation said.
“We look forward to the many successful and profitable partnerships that will result because of this even and will continue to work towards forging even stronger business, investment and cultural ties between Sharjah and Singapore in the future,” he added.
After opening remarks from Mohammad Ahmad Al Qubaisi, Ambassador of United Arab Emirates to Singapore, Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq addressed the forum.
“Continuing demand for different experiences, the growing expatriate population, government investment and rising disposable income is creating new opportunities in the travel and leisure sector, with market potential expected to reach AED1.49 billion by 2016. The transport and logistics sector is also fast-growing – as the benefits of Sharjah’s access to the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean continues to grow, so does the success of this sector. Here, market potential is expected to reach AED6.24 billion by 2016,” highlighting some of Sharjah’s most promising sectors, Al Sarkal said.
“Healthcare is another promising sector where the increased demand for specialised services is set to drive growth. The industry is expected to grow by 9.3%, from AED4.59 billion this year to AED6.55 billion in 2016.”
Elaborating on the issue of healthcare, Binu Pisharadi, Commercial Affairs Manager of Sharjah Healthcare City, said that UAE was the 2nd largest pharma products consumer after Saudi Arabia; that the UAE currently has 88 hospitals – 15 of which are located in Sharjah; and that Sharjah and NE register about 3 million outpatients and 130,000 inpatients per year.