Sharjah – A business meeting was held by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry that brought together a delegation from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Iraqi Kurdistan with several officials from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the UAE. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss potential collaboration that would enhance economic and investment ties between the UAE and the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
During the meeting, Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Vice President of the Federation of UAE Chambers and Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the visiting delegation. He was joined by Hamid Mohammed bin Salem, Secretary-General of the Federation of UAE Chambers, Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, General Director of the Sharjah Chamber, Dr. Ahmed Saleh Al Ajla, Director of the Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre, and Abdulaziz Al Shamsi, Assistant General Director of the Sharjah Chamber for Communications and Business Sector. The visiting delegation was led by Dr. Mohammed Shihab Mohammed Amin, Chair of the Supreme Supervisory Committee of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Iraqi Kurdistan.
UAE Investments
Abdullah Sultan Al Owais expressed his pleasure in hosting the Kurdish delegation, highlighting that Sharjah has established a strategic presence in the region, with numerous UAE companies investing in various key sectors, including energy and gas. He noted that the experience of Iraqi Kurdistan encourages the private sector in the UAE to explore more opportunities for economic collaboration with their counterparts in the region. Al Owais emphasized the strong brotherly ties between the UAE and Iraq, particularly in the Kurdistan region. He indicated that the Sharjah Chamber is keen on enhancing relationships between the business communities of Sharjah and Iraqi Kurdistan, showcasing the chamber’s capabilities, especially in commercial arbitration, which plays a vital role in boosting the investment attractiveness of Kurdistan, given the significance of advanced arbitration mechanisms in fostering growth.
“Arbitration”
Dr. Mohammed Shihab Mohammed Amin commended the significant civil and economic advancements in Sharjah, underlining the importance of closely examining the “Arbitration” Centre in Sharjah to replicate its successful model in the Kurdistan region.
Dr. Ahmed Saleh Al Ajla provided a detailed overview of the advanced mechanisms employed by the Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre in resolving disputes and mediating between businesses. He highlighted the center’s competitive features and the digital services offered via the “Arbitration” smart platform, showcasing Sharjah’s leadership in utilizing technology to create a secure and appealing arbitration environment for investments.
The discussions included exploring ways to enhance commercial and investment exchanges between Sharjah and the Kurdistan region. The visiting delegation presented the potential of the region as a vital commercial gateway to other Iraqi provinces, while the chamber emphasized Sharjah’s position as a leading regional industrial and logistics hub. Both parties discussed strategies to leverage the emirate’s strategic location and the advantages of its free zones for re-exporting Kurdish products to global markets, thereby adding value for both sides and supporting food security strategies and economic diversification.