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According to a report by the Emirates News Agency, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry held separate meetings with delegations from Uganda and Jordan to explore opportunities for enhanced trade, investment and joint ventures. The discussions focused on activating existing cooperation agreements and identifying new areas for business partnerships across key sectors. Sharjah Chamber officials emphasised the role of such ties in supporting broader economic development goals for all parties involved. The meetings built on prior engagements, including a 2025 trade mission by the chamber to Uganda that helped open channels for increased commercial activity.
Jordan and the UAE maintained significant trade flows, with United Arab Emirates exports to Jordan reaching $4.99 billion during 2024, according to data from Trading Economics. The two countries activated a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that has created additional avenues for collaboration in investment and services. Sharjah Chamber representatives reviewed potential projects in manufacturing, logistics and technology during the Jordanian meeting. The chamber agreed to facilitate exchange visits for business delegations to follow up on identified opportunities.
Bilateral trade between the UAE and Uganda expanded rapidly in recent years, climbing to $2.85 billion in 2024 from $600 million in 2018, Forbes Africa reported. The UAE has become Uganda’s leading export destination, particularly for gold and agricultural products such as coffee. During the Uganda meeting, Sharjah Chamber participants examined prospects for investment in agribusiness, infrastructure and small and medium enterprise development. Both sides committed to organising targeted trade missions in the coming months to convert discussions into concrete deals.
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry operates as a key facilitator for emirate businesses seeking overseas partnerships, according to its published mandate. Recent board meetings of the chamber have prioritised expanding international networks to support local industry growth and diversification. In the Uganda and Jordan talks, participants highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing on regulatory frameworks and market access requirements. The chamber plans to disseminate outcomes of these discussions to its members through dedicated workshops.
UAE authorities have pursued multiple economic agreements across Africa and the Middle East to boost non-oil trade, World Bank data on regional partnerships shows. The Sharjah Chamber’s engagements align with this direction by focusing on practical business linkages rather than broad policy declarations. Jordanian officials outlined investment incentives in tourism and renewable energy that could interest Sharjah investors. Ugandan representatives presented opportunities in value-added agriculture and light manufacturing.
Follow-up mechanisms established in the meetings include regular virtual coordination sessions between the Sharjah Chamber and its counterparts in Amman and Kampala. The chamber will track progress on proposed initiatives and report outcomes to its board. Such structured follow-up has proven effective in previous cooperation agreements the chamber has signed with other regional partners.
