Sharjah: Sharjah hosted its annual Ramadan Majlis on Wednesday under the theme 'Sustainability in Creative Industries' at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah, alongside senior officials, representatives of economic and innovation institutions, and entrepreneurs.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Majlis was jointly organised by the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, Invest in Sharjah, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa). The event opened with keynote remarks by Sheikha Bodour, who emphasized the importance of sustainability as a framework for ensuring the resilience and competitiveness of creative industries. She highlighted the significance of collaboration across research, entrepreneurship, and investment in creating an ecosystem that fosters economic and cultural growth.
The evening also marked the graduation of the first cohort of the Sharjah Women Impact Fellowship, a program aimed at empowering female entrepreneurs and strengthening their roles in key sectors within Sharjah and beyond. The initiative was delivered in collaboration with prominent global institutions, including Publicis Groupe, Accenture, Kearney, The Pearl Initiative, EY, and Microsoft. The program's principal sponsors-Fikri Consulting, Meem Foundation, Shurooq, and Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Real Estate-were honored for their commitment to women's empowerment and entrepreneurship in Sharjah.
The Majlis featured a main panel discussion titled 'Sharjah Business Updates - Sustainability and the Creative Economy', which focused on the rapid changes in the business environment. It addressed the integration of sustainability principles into economic growth models and the synergy between investment, entrepreneurship, and innovation in enhancing the competitiveness of creative industries. High-value opportunities in Sharjah for investors and innovators were also highlighted.
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), noted that investment promotion agencies now have a strategic mandate to channel investments into future-defining sectors, ensuring sustainability. He stated that Invest in Sharjah targets high-value investments that accelerate the shift to a knowledge-based, creative, and innovation-led economy, embedding sustainability standards throughout the investment lifecycle.
Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), commented on the reshaping of economic development, emphasizing that sustainability influences industry structures and that the creative economy is increasingly driven by technology and intellectual property. Sheraa focuses on enabling startups to transition from early stages to structured growth within an ecosystem designed for execution.
Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq, discussed Sharjah's sustainable development model, highlighting its focus on economic diversification and enhancing the creative industries. Shurooq translates this vision into projects that reshape the urban and economic landscape through sustainable investment assets.
Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SPARK, stressed the need for an integrated ecosystem linking research, entrepreneurship, and investment to embed sustainability within creative industries. He noted that the Majlis serves as a platform to strengthen dialogue and align efforts toward converting innovation into sustainable economic value.
On the sidelines of the Majlis, strategic agreements were signed to bolster Sharjah's investment and innovation ecosystem. Notably, a Memorandum of Understanding between SPARK and Nokia focused on knowledge exchange and AI-driven network innovation. Additionally, agreements were signed to develop a storage and distribution facility in Al Qasimia Industrial Area and to support Sheraa startups through the Microsoft for Startups programme.
These initiatives reflect a commitment to transforming knowledge into sustainable economic value and enhancing Sharjah's position as a regional business and innovation hub.