Sharjah Chamber Strengthens Investment and Trade Growth through UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements
Sharjah – The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in partnership with the Indian Business and Professional Council in Sharjah (IBPC), recently conducted a comprehensive workshop aimed at exploring investment opportunities presented by the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs). The event, titled “CEPAs and Trade Facilitation,” gathered government officials, industry experts, and business leaders to discuss strategies for maximizing the benefits of these agreements.
Workshop Highlights and Key Participants
The workshop featured representatives from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade and DHL Group, a global leader in logistics. Attendees included Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI; Lalu Samuel, Chairman of IBPC-Sharjah; and Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of the International Relations Department at SCCI. The event attracted a diverse audience, including government officials, investors, and entrepreneurs keen on enhancing their investment and export activities between the UAE and India.
Interactive panel discussions, expert presentations, and moderated dialogue sessions provided participants with valuable insights and direct engagement opportunities with industry specialists on critical trade and investment topics.
A Strategic Pillar for Foreign Trade
In his opening remarks, Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi emphasized the significance of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements as a cornerstone of the UAE’s foreign trade strategy. He noted that the CEPA program has effectively strengthened international trade ties, expanded market access for UAE businesses, and created new growth opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Al Shamsi highlighted the longstanding relationship between the UAE and India, built on mutual respect and cooperation. Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate has established itself as a preferred investment destination for Indian companies seeking regional and international expansion. He mentioned that over 20,000 Indian companies are currently registered with the Sharjah Chamber, reflecting a 30 percent annual growth rate. Additionally, the value of Sharjah’s domestic exports to India has reached approximately AED 576 million.
Indicators of Strong Economic Relations
Lalu Samuel underscored the robust growth in UAE–India trade relations, describing it as a clear reflection of the strategic economic partnership between the two nations. He stressed the need for businesses to adopt innovative and competitive approaches to achieve more ambitious bilateral trade goals.
Samuel noted that the UAE–India CEPA provides a strategic economic platform for local businesses to leverage Sharjah’s competitive advantages, including its geographic location, world-class free zones, and Khorfakkan Port, which offers direct access to the Indian Ocean. He encouraged the business community to transform knowledge into actionable opportunities, thereby maximizing the long-term commercial value of the agreement.
Logistics Solutions and Business Opportunities
The workshop also included a presentation on the CEPA program and Rules of Origin, delivered by a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Trade. This session provided an overview of the strategic objectives and regulatory framework of CEPAs, along with practical guidance for exporters on maximizing preferential market access and customs incentives.
Ben McLean, Director of Commercial Programmes at DHL, presented integrated logistics solutions designed to support businesses engaged in international trade. His presentation highlighted strategies for optimizing cross-border shipping, utilizing advanced warehousing capabilities, and accelerating customs clearance processes to enhance supply chain efficiency.
Participants acknowledged the significant advantages offered by the UAE’s CEPAs, noting their role in enhancing global market access by reducing or eliminating customs tariffs and trade barriers. These agreements are seen as essential for strengthening international competitiveness and accelerating cross-border growth.
The workshop outlined various private-sector industries poised to benefit from the UAE’s CEPAs, including logistics, clean energy, technology, financial services, and sustainable agriculture. Discussions also focused on the role of CEPAs in expanding market access for Emirati service providers and reducing technical barriers to trade.
Conclusion
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements represent a vital component of the UAE’s strategy to reinforce its position as a leading global trade and investment hub. Beginning with the landmark agreement with India, the CEPA program is expanding to include a growing network of strategic markets worldwide. This framework encompasses trade facilitation, tariff reduction, intellectual property protection, and foreign direct investment promotion, creating significant growth opportunities for the private sector.
For further information, please contact:
Ali Elgendy
Misbar Communications
ali@misbar-me.com
Ahmad Aldwairi
Misbar Communications
ahmad.aldwairi@misbar-me.com
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-07-13 18:15:00 • By the Editorial Desk
