Sharjah: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) engaged in discussions with a delegation from the Qatar Chamber to explore ways to enhance cooperation and exchange expertise between the business communities of the UAE and Qatar. The meeting was centered on strengthening the role of sectoral working groups and business councils in advancing international economic relations and fostering private sector partnerships between the two nations.
According to Emirates News Agency, the discussions took place at the Sharjah Chamber’s headquarters, where Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, received Hamad Ali Muaiql Al-Marri, Director of the Committees and Business Councils Department at the Qatar Chamber, along with his delegation. The meeting saw participation from Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of the International Relations Department at SCCI, and several senior officials from both sides.
The meeting focused on exchanging institutional expertise and adopting best practices in managing business councils and sectoral working groups. The goal was to advance the business environment and enhance the efficiency of services provided to Chamber members. Following the meeting, a working session was held to showcase ongoing initiatives and programs aimed at empowering the private sector and boosting its competitiveness.
The session also underscored the strategic role of sectoral business groups in fostering cross-sector economic relations, promoting investment partnerships, and developing a supportive ecosystem for business growth in Sharjah. Practical frameworks for joint collaboration were explored, focusing on knowledge exchange and information sharing between sectoral working groups and business councils. Discussions also covered the development of joint programs designed to support members and strengthen economic ties.
Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi highlighted the strong historical ties and economic partnership between the UAE and Qatar, noting that the UAE is Qatar’s leading Gulf and Arab trading partner, ranking eighth globally. Non-oil foreign trade between the two countries showed significant progress in 2023, increasing by 18.3% to approximately AED 37 billion compared to the previous year.
Al Awadi reiterated the Sharjah Chamber’s commitment to building on bilateral ties with the Qatar Chamber through collaboration in knowledge exchange and value-driven initiatives. These efforts aim to enhance the business climate, drive growth in priority sectors, and enable the private sector to contribute to sustainable economic development.
The Qatari delegation emphasized the meeting as a reflection of the shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and expanding partnership opportunities between the business communities of both countries. They highlighted the significance of exchanging expertise in managing sectoral working groups and business councils as a strategic step toward fostering economic growth and meeting the aspirations of the private sector.
