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The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated in the International Hospitality Fair and Expo in Dubai where officials presented the emirate’s vision for attracting international brands to key service sectors. Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led discussions on targeted programs designed to facilitate market entry for global retailers, developers and hospitality operators. The chamber’s approach includes tailored incentives and promotional campaigns aimed at enhancing Sharjah’s appeal to foreign investors. This presentation marked a key step in promoting sustainable growth across the specified industries, according to the Emirates News Agency.
Al Owais stated that Sharjah offers a competitive business environment backed by advanced infrastructure and supportive policies that draw international interest. The chamber’s plans encompass collaboration with government bodies to streamline licensing and provide access to financing for incoming brands. Real estate projects form a central element of the strategy with several commercial developments underway to accommodate new entrants. These measures are intended to create synergies between the retail and hospitality sectors while generating employment opportunities, the chairman added.
Figures from the Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development show more than 15,000 businesses registered in retail and hospitality as of late 2025. The department’s data places growth in tourism-related activities at 8 percent compared with the prior year while foreign direct investment in real estate rose 10 percent in the first nine months of 2026. A PwC Middle East assessment of the UAE economy projected the retail sector to expand at an annual rate of 6 percent through the end of the decade on the back of rising consumer demand and tourism recovery. Such benchmarks provide context for the chamber’s push to integrate global brands into the local market.
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry is developing training initiatives to prepare the local workforce for roles created by new international operations. Follow-up engagements from the Dubai expo are expected to yield joint ventures and franchise agreements in the coming months. Officials highlighted the importance of aligning these investments with Sharjah’s long-term economic diversification objectives. The strategy also involves participation in additional international forums to sustain dialogue with potential partners worldwide.
Further details shared at the event pointed to specialized economic zones under development for retail and hospitality activities. These zones will feature simplified regulatory frameworks to accelerate setup for global operators, the chamber said. Ongoing infrastructure improvements in Sharjah are set to support increased activity in these areas according to updates from the Sharjah Department of Economic Development. The combined efforts aim to strengthen the emirate’s position as a regional hub for branded commercial and leisure services.
