The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SCCI, has discussed ways to strengthen and develop economic, commercial, and investment relations, in a meeting with the Japan External Trade Organisation in Dubai and the Middle East, JETRO.

The discussion also included exploring opportunities and advantages of investment available in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Khaled bin Butti Al Hajri, Director-General of SCCI, expressed his delight at the visit during his meeting with Masami Ando, Managing Director of JETRO Dubai and MENA, and his accompanying delegation at the chamber headquarters in Sharjah. He stressed that Japan is one of the most important trading partners of the UAE.

The two sides reviewed the chamber's provision of support to enhance cooperation between companies and economic institutions in Japan and Sharjah, especially in small and medium enterprises, SMEs.

Al Hajri said that the cooperation between the two sides is witnessing increasing growth in various fields, including SMEs. He added that the chamber has reviewed the investment opportunities in Sharjah at multiple levels, especially in the industrial, tourism, commercial and logistics sectors. He also highlighted that the legislative and legal environment that characterises the emirate represents a strong attraction for investors.

He added that there is plenty of room for SMEs in the two countries to cooperate in light of economic and trade relations, as well as opportunities in sectors that are a priority on the development agenda in Sharjah and the UAE in general. He called on the organisation to invest and encourage Japanese businesspeople to exploit various investment opportunities.

Masami Ando, Managing Director of JETRO Dubai and MENA, emphasised the strength of the historical and economic relations between the two countries, pointing out that the progress, and diversification in the economic sectors and investment opportunities in Sharjah opens the door for more economic partnership with Japan, to benefit from the technical and artistic expertise of Japan. He noted that the meeting provided an opportunity to stimulate companies and entrepreneurs from both countries to form partnerships.