Focus on Sharjah as key investment hub at Paris conference

PARIS- The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq, has participated in a two-day conference on the Middle East and North Africa, MENA, region as a new source of opportunities for French SME’s in Paris, France.

The conference, which took place on May 19th and 20th, was organised by the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Arab Business Leaders, IPEMED and the Paris Dauphine University, and focused on how French SMEs can succeed in the MENA region as well as on how Arab investors can support French SMEs’ growth.

The conference activities were held under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Shurooq and were attended by Mohammed Meer Abdullah Al Raeesi, U.A.E. Ambassador to France, Arnaud Raynouard, Vice president of Paris Dauphine University and Dr. Saleh Al Tayar, Secretary General of the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce.

Shurooq’s delegation was led by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan and included Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Elie Armaly, Director of Business Development, Amani Al Ali, Manager of the Executive Office of Sheikha Bodour, Hatem Heidar, Public Relations Executive, and Maryam bin Al Shaikh, Business Development Coordinator.

The conference was attended by top business organisations, companies, political institutions and diplomatic bodies in France to encourage secure international economic relationships. A gathering of 300 senior business executives have met to discuss ways of investment in the MENA as new sources of SMEs, particularly in the GCC region.

In her keynote speech during the conference, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan highlighted some aspects of the relationships between France and the Arab World, stressing the need to build strong relationships based on mutual exchange and trust, saying that such goals require a lot of time, effort and perseverance from all parties.

She added, “Our civilizations, European and Arabs, are different, but also complementary in many respects. And while our legal, political and economic environments may differ, I am here today to assure you we will do everything in our power to help you overcome any obstacles in order to succeed in Sharjah’s thriving economic environment.” Shurooq’s CEO, Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, engaged in a panel discussion to promote Sharjah’s offering to France, focusing on the core of the event: the MENA region as a source of opportunities for French SMEs.

Houssam Nasrawin, President and founder of Arab Business Leaders, echoed Al Sarkal by saying that, “Sharjah is a fast growing Emirate offering a lot of opportunities for French companies. Today’s event in Paris, under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour, highlights how Sharjah and the U.A.E. seek to establish strong business relations with Europe.”-WAM