Shurooq channels Dhs447 million into five projects

SHARJAH: Over the past 15 years, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has advanced beyond traditional urban development to firmly establish Sharjah as a global centre for culture and the arts, a sustainable platform for knowledge, and a dynamic destination for the creative economy in the region.

- Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Al Noor Island is a flagship project that seamlessly blends culture and nature into a multisensory visual experience.

According to Shurooq's recently issued 15-year progress report, the authority has delivered five major projects in the Arts & Culture sector, with total investments and partnerships amounting to Dhs447 million. These are part of a comprehensive strategic portfolio that includes 52 projects across various sectors, spanning a total area of 60 million square feet throughout the emirate, with total investments and partnerships exceeding Dhs7.2 billion.

The five projects that anchor Shurooq’s achievements in this sector are the Heart of Sharjah, House of Wisdom, Al Noor Island, Maraya Art Centre and 1971 Design Space, and Mleiha National Park. Collectively, they reflect Shurooq's commitment to fostering a thriving cultural economy rooted in heritage, creativity, and sustainability.

These efforts align with UNESCO reports, which emphasise that cultural and creative projects are a significant economic and social driver, contributing meaningfully to GDP, creating job opportunities, and strengthening social cohesion, while also having a positive impact on sustainable development.