Sharjah at the crossroads of global investment flows

The second day of the Sharjah Investment Forum 2025, held in conjunction with WAIPA's World Investment Conference (WIC), featured a high-level panel titled "Sharjah 2030: Driving Innovation, Investment, and Sustainable Growth," sharing key insights and statistics that demonstrate Sharjah's continued rise as a global hub for sustainable development, innovation, and investment.

- Inayat-ur-Rahman, Business Editor

The panel brought together a group of distinguished leaders who are driving Sharjah’s ambitious development agenda including Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA); Ahmed Al Qaseer, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Mohamed Juma Al Musharrk, CEO, Sharjah FDI Office (Invest In Sharjah); Sara Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship centre (Sheraa); and Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park (SPARK).

Sustainable tourism as a growth engine SCTDA Chairman Khalid Jasim Al Midfa emphasised tourism as a low-risk growth pillar, and integral to the economy, contributing over 10% of Sharjah’s non-oil GDP. “We expect 1.9 million visitors by the end of 2025 after welcoming 1.47 million in the first nine months,” he said. Al Midfa commented on continued infrastructure investments, including airport expansion and road connectivity to bolster tourism growth.

He concluded reaffirming that responsible and sustainable efforts regarding culture and ecotourism remain priorities, with the target of expanding tourism’s economic contribution from Dhs 200 billion in 2023 to Dhs450 billion by 2031.