An Al Noor Mosque Surrounded with City Buildings at Night
An Al Noor Mosque Surrounded with City Buildings at Night - Al Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Abid Bin Nazar/Pexels.com

In a bid to strengthen international economic and investment cooperation, the Department of Government Relations (DGR) in Sharjah, along with the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), hosted a high-level delegation from China.

The delegation included prominent investors, CEOs, and leading economic and trade experts. Their visit centered on fostering strategic partnerships and identifying new investment opportunities in Sharjah.

"The delegation's visit to Sharjah reflects the strength of economic and investment relations between the emirate and global markets, reinforcing Sharjah's status as a preferred destination for investors, and highlighting our emirate's thriving business environment, built on economic diversification, sustainability, and innovation," DGR Chairman Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi said, according to WAM.

Sheikh Fahim welcomed the delegation, with Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, among those joining him. Al Musharrkh highlighted that "Sharjah offers promising opportunities across various sectors, supported by a flexible investment environment, advanced infrastructure, and business-friendly policies that facilitate the establishment and expansion of companies."

The Chinese delegation was led by Ronnie Chan, the Honorary Chair of Hang Lung Properties; Fanjie Wei, Director of the Shanghai Future-Oriented Industries Fund; and Peng Wang, Chief Investment Officer of Inatai Investment Management Company.

The delegation also met with Zouheir Sabra, CEO of BEEAH Capital, and Rahma Al Shamsi, Director of Portfolio & Ventures for Energy at BEEAH Capital, at their headquarters in Al Rowdat, Sharjah.

They attended a presentation about BEEAH Group's operations, subsidiaries, and innovative solutions, followed by a tour of the company's landmark headquarters. The visit was concluded with an official dinner at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, where the delegation explored ancient archaeological discoveries.

The center is a key part of Sharjah's eco and heritage tourism project and attracts visitors from around the world.

China is the UAE's largest trading partner globally, contributing to over 11% of the country's non-oil trade. In the first half of 2024, trade between the two nations reached $42 billion, marking a three percent increase from the same period in the previous year.

Currently, nearly 15,500 Chinese companies operate in the UAE. During their visit, the Chinese delegation learned how Sharjah Airport International Free Zone supports trade, investment, and logistics through its strategic location and simplified business procedures, including licensing.

Last year, Dubai Chambers signed an agreement with the China Construction Bank (CCB) – DIFC Branch to boost investment and help Chinese companies expand in the emirate.