ABOUT SHARJAH

Cultural Capital of the Arab World

Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the UAE, occupying an area of 2,590 square kilometres. Declared as the Cultural Capital of the Arab World in 1998 by UNESCO, Sharjah is home to the largest number of educational institutes in the country and possesses vibrant communities and a rich heritage. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf to the west and the Gulf of Oman to the east gives the emirate a unique geographical perspective. Featuring a fusion of the old and the new, Sharjah is awash with magnificent mosques, wonderful waterfront hotels and selection of souks. It is also renowned for its historical beauty, boasting a number of museums to start a journey of discovery into its rich and colourful past.

ADVANTAGES IN TRADE AND COMMERCE

The Emirate of Sharjah is a prominent centre for trade both domestically and internationally. In the UAE, it serves as a gateway to the northern emirates, while globally it enjoys a strategic location between Europe and the Far East, providing access to key emerging markets, including India, Iran, Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sharjah has been a driving force in economic growth in recent years, embracing diversification to elevate itself as an international investment destination to rival many others across the region.

In 2017, foreign direct investment (FDI) flow into the emirate more than doubled to AED 5.97 billion, while cumulative international investments rose to AED 36 billion. This resulted in Sharjah’s GDP growing by five per cent and contributed to a surge in employment, with more than 5,000 new jobs created.