Under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi, Head of the Ruler’s Office, inaugurated the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition “Ikras 2026” this morning. The event is organized by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Real Estate Registration Department of Sharjah, taking place at the Sharjah Expo Center and running until January 24.
After the opening ceremony, Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi toured the exhibition’s halls and reviewed a range of projects and offers that span various real estate sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, and investment properties. Among these were many modern and sustainable residential complexes being presented for the first time in the Emirate of Sharjah.
During his visit, the head of the Ruler’s Office explored numerous booths from both government and private sectors, listening to the services provided by various organizations in the real estate domain and learning about new projects being developed in Sharjah.
The opening of “Ikras 2026” also featured a ceremony where Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi honored strategic partners, sponsors, and supporters of the exhibition, as well as recognizing the Minister of Housing and Lands from the Republic of Mauritius.
Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, delivered a speech during the awards ceremony, welcoming attendees from around the globe. He highlighted that the exhibition represents a culmination of a comprehensive developmental journey initiated by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. This has established Sharjah as a unique model that balances economic growth, cultural identity, and environmental sustainability, all under a holistic developmental vision that elevates the real estate sector beyond mere construction to an integrated environment ensuring community quality of life.
He praised the ongoing support of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi for the exhibition, underscoring the Crown Prince’s belief in the real estate sector as a cornerstone of comprehensive development.
Al Owais noted that the exhibition showcases over 200 diverse real estate projects, continuing its success as transaction values surged from 1.4 billion AED in 2024 to 4.3 billion AED in 2025. He pointed out that the Executive Council’s decision to reduce real estate registration fees for transactions during the exhibition period reflects the ongoing direct government support benefiting all participants and investors.
Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Director General of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, affirmed in his remarks that the real estate sector in the Emirate has continued to show positive growth indicators in transaction volumes and has expanded the investor base, supported by a flexible legislative framework and clear regulatory procedures, alongside advanced digital services that enhance market efficiency and transparency. The sector recorded a remarkable 65.6 billion AED in transactions, with a year-on-year growth rate of 64.3%. This included 33,580 sale transactions and the launch of 38 new development projects, showcasing the Emirate’s attractiveness to investors.
He added that the real estate market attracted investors from 129 nationalities, with Emirati investments totaling around 33.8 billion AED across 41,066 properties. Meanwhile, investments from GCC citizens reached 3.4 billion AED for 2,055 properties, whereas Arab citizens contributed 9.8 billion AED for 8,663 properties, and investments from other countries amounted to 18.5 billion AED across 8,538 properties.
Minister Shakil Ahmed Yousuf from the Republic of Mauritius expressed his gratitude towards the Emirate of Sharjah for its unwavering support of the real estate sector, which has established it as a model for blending technology, environmental concerns, and modern design in property development, resulting in significant investments in this area. He discussed the growing interest in real estate in his country and the collaboration with Sharjah, emphasizing the sector’s critical role in economic advancement and sustainable development.
The exhibition is set to feature educational and informative activities, including discussion panels, workshops, and specialized training sessions in both Arabic and English, addressing various aspects of the real estate market, from market transformations and supply-demand trends to smart investment strategies and the latest applications of AI and blockchain technology in real estate development.
In attendance at the exhibition’s inauguration alongside the head of the Ruler’s Office were Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, Sheikh Salem bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sheikh Majed bin Faisal Al Qasimi, First Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with several senior officials, representatives from government entities, and a group of prominent businessmen and investors in the real estate sector.