Sharjah: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) recently convened an extensive meeting with representatives from the Shopping Malls Sector Business Group. The primary objective of the meeting was to discuss strategies for developing the shopping mall sector and enhancing its investment appeal in line with Sharjah's strategic goals for sustainable economic development and domestic tourism.
According to Emirates News Agency, discussions during the meeting centered on upgrading service systems within shopping malls to elevate sector competitiveness and reinforce Sharjah's status as a prominent regional destination for shopping and entertainment. The meeting, held at the Chamber's headquarters, included notable attendees such as Dr. Fatema Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations at SCCI; Amjad Awad al Karim, Head of Sectoral Business Groups Department; and Abdullah Al Balushi, Head of Shopping Malls Sector Business Group, along with several officials and shopping mall representatives from across the emirate.
Participants acknowledged the effective response of Sharjah's government entities to recent weather-related challenges, which has bolstered investor and consumer confidence, highlighting the resilience of the emirate's economy. Dr. Fatema Khalifa Al Muqarrab emphasized the Chamber's commitment to strengthening strategic collaborations with the Shopping Malls Sector Business Group to support growth initiatives and enhance commercial activity.
Key discussions included exploring strategies to support SMEs within shopping malls, focusing on innovative solutions and flexible leasing models for long-term business sustainability. The meeting also addressed initiatives to mitigate climate-related risks, improve infrastructure readiness, and optimize operational performance.
Furthermore, attendees discussed integrating retail with the Shopping Malls Sector Business Group to boost coordination and unify efforts for advancing Sharjah's retail ecosystem. Aligning mall infrastructure with the 'Healthy City' agenda by upgrading family- and child-focused offerings to global standards was also highlighted.
The meeting explored strategies for enhancing retail festivals and seasonal promotional campaigns as economic drivers, with participants noting the success of the 36th edition of Sharjah Ramadan Festival 2026, which saw participation from various shopping malls, brands, and families.