then decided to launch a brand-new show that would cater to the local jewellery industry . Amid the pandemic-induced restrictions , we managed to bring everything together to launch a new event , and the Jewels of Emirates Show was born late last year . And the event was such a runaway success that we are continuing it this year , too . |
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What about Expo 2020 . Do you see that as an opportunity for Sharjah in the meetings market ? Expo 2020 would definitely give us a great opportunity to promote Expo Centre Sharjah , our events , Sharjah ’ s booming industrial base and other opportunities . It will offer unparalleled networking opportunities as 190 nations and millions of visitors will descend on the UAE . Since Expo 2020 is also the first event of its scale to take place in the world post pandemic , it would serve in re-kickstarting the events industry as well as international tourism , benefitting Expo Centre and Sharjah immensely .
What is Expo Centre Sharjah ’ s approach to winning conference business and which sectors of the Sharjah economy are particularly strong ? Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the UAE and is increasingly being acknowledged as the industrial backbone of the country . Its strategic geographical location makes it a gateway to the expansive markets of the Middle East , northern and southern Africa , the Indian Subcontinent and the CIS countries . It
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can boast of an investor-friendly climate , flexible legal framework , simple procedures and a fair tax system , in addition to the provision of funding resources and qualified human resources with competitive costs . It has a strong manufacturing industry , and accounts for nearly 45 % of the country ’ s industrial sector spread across 19 industrial zones and three free zones . These factors make it a firm favourite for trade show and conference organisers .
Often overshadowed by fellow emirates Dubai and Abu Dhabi for meetings and conferences , how can Sharjah differentiate itself ? Rather than competing , we complement each other well with different offerings and advantages . Apart from being the manufacturing base of the country , Sharjah ’ s focus on art , culture , heritage and education has won it the title of the Cultural Capital of the UAE , besides being crowned as the Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO in 1998 and the Capital of Arab Tourism Award in 2015 . We have kept the spirit of our history alive by incorporating tradition into every
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Above : Ferris wheel in Al Qasba
Left : Al Khalid Lake , Sharjah , UAE
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Sharjah
• Third most populous city in the UAE after Dubai and Abu Dhabi
• The only emirate that overlooks the Persian Gulf coastline to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east
• Contributes 7.45 % of UAE GDP
• Named World Book Capital by UNESCO in 2019 and Islamic culture capital in 2014 .
aspect of contemporary development , clearly underscoring the unique advantages these factors offer to events and conferences . A comparison of the events being held in the country will provide a clear idea of how each emirate plays to its strengths . A good example will be Sharjah International Book Fair that we host annually . It is the third largest event of its kind in the world .
Our industrial units present a big opportunity for foreign companies and event organisers to tap into . The cost advantages offered by Sharjah is an appealing factor and Dubai International Airport is just 10 minutes by road from Sharjah .
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