Sharjah’s key ecosystem enablers gathered for the annual Ramadan Council, held at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), to underscore the emirate’s commitment to fostering a sustainable creative economy. The event, organized in collaboration with the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Office (Invest in Sharjah), the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), brought together government officials, investors, and entrepreneurs to discuss the integration of sustainability within the region’s rapidly growing creative industries.
A Vision for Integrated Growth
The event was held in the presence of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah, who delivered the opening address. She highlighted the emirate’s unique development path, which intertwines heritage with innovation and culture with entrepreneurship.
“Sustainability is the framework that guarantees the flexibility, competitiveness, and human-centricity of the creative industries in the emirate,” stated Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi. “By promoting cooperation between the research and development, entrepreneurship, and investment ecosystems, we are building an environment that incubates ideas, which are born and grow to achieve sustainable economic and cultural value in the future.”
Fostering Female Entrepreneurship
A key highlight of the evening was the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the “Sharjah Impact Female Fellowship” program. The initiative is designed to empower female entrepreneurs and enhance their role in vital economic sectors across the emirate and the wider region.
The program was executed in partnership with leading global institutions, including Publicis Group, Accenture, Kearney, The Pearl Initiative, EY, and Microsoft, providing participants with advanced expertise in leadership, business development, and innovation.
Insights from Ecosystem Leaders
A central panel discussion, “Sharjah Business Updates – Sustainability and the Creative Economy,” featured insights from the leaders of the emirate’s core economic institutions.
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, emphasized the strategic shift in investment promotion. “The role of investment promotion agencies is no longer limited to attracting capital, but has become a strategic role in directing these investments towards the sectors that create the future and support its sustainability,” he noted. Al Musharrkh cited UNCTAD reports indicating that the creative economy contributes about 3% of global GDP and provides nearly 50 million jobs worldwide.
Sara Balhaif Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, spoke on the accelerating shift towards IP-based and technology-driven business models. “At Sheraa, we translate these transformations into sector-specific programs and strategic partnerships that connect founders with experts and decision-makers, contributing to accelerating the transition of early-stage startups to the growth stage,” she explained.
Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq, remarked that sustainability is a strategic framework for growth in Sharjah. “For decades, the emirate has adopted a long-term institutional vision based on diversifying the economy, promoting creative industries, and consolidating the quality of life, which has contributed to building a solid non-oil economy capable of adapting to global changes.”
Strategic Alliances to Drive Innovation
The event also saw the signing of several strategic agreements aimed at accelerating innovation and investment in Sharjah. Key partnerships included:
An MoU between SRTIP and Nokia to collaborate on knowledge exchange, advanced technology solutions, and AI-powered innovation.
An agreement between Shurooq and JS Lootah, enabling the investor to develop and operate a new project to attract quality investments.
An MoU between Invest in Sharjah and Navis International Trade and Consulting to establish a new storage and distribution facility in the Al Qasimia industrial zone to serve GCC markets.
The announcement that Sheraa has joined the “Microsoft for Startups” program. This will provide Sheraa-supported startups with up to $150,000 in Azure credits and access to Azure AI services and advanced development tools.
About The Sharjah Ramadan Council
The Sharjah Ramadan Council is an annual high-profile event that serves as a collaborative platform for key economic and innovation-focused entities in the Emirate of Sharjah. Organized by the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), Invest in Sharjah, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), the council convenes leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to foster dialogue and drive strategic initiatives for building a knowledge-based, sustainable economy.
Source: Zawya
