Source : WAM
The Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce in Dubai (AmCham Dubai), hosted “Business and Golf Day 2026” to strengthen investment ties between Sharjah and the United States.
Held at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, the event provided a platform for direct engagement between investors and institutions, showcasing investment opportunities in the emirate, facilitating access to regional and international markets, and supporting long-term strategic partnerships.
The initiative comes as economic relations between Sharjah and the US continue to grow, with trade exceeding AED 3.8 billion (approximately US$1.04 billion) in 2025.
The event was attended by Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations and the Higher Committee for Economic Integration in Sharjah; Robert Raines, U.S. Consul-General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates; Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah; and Nasser Bakkar, Board Member of AmCham Dubai and Government Engagement Director for the Middle East at GE Aerospace, in addition to representatives from companies and investment institutions from both sides.
In his welcome address, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi highlighted Sharjah’s ongoing economic growth, noting an 8.5% GDP increase in 2024 and expected 2025 growth exceeding 6%.
“This is all a result of companies like yourselves here today, that have trusted us and chosen Sharjah as a platform to grow. For us, it’s a moment of pride to see so many partners that have been part of the journey. I look forward to one day having an ‘AmCham Sharjah’, and to get there, it’s going to take all of us working together,” he said.
The U.S. Consul-General Robert Raines praised the event as an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences and contribute to building closer ties. “At the core of the successful long-term bilateral relationship is successful trade and commerce. There are many of you here today who have been well-established in Sharjah for a long time, so make sure to learn from each other,” he said.
Al Qaseer said the partnership between Invest in Sharjah and AmCham Dubai “reflects a shared belief: collaboration works best when it is personal, practical, and forward-looking.”
Today, around 1,200 U.S. companies operate across Sharjah’s free zones, with 314 located on the mainland, Al Qaseer stated, adding that “more importantly, these numbers represent confidence, mutual respect, and a long-term commitment to doing business together.”
Al Musharrakh highlighted Sharjah’s high quality of life as a key factor supporting business success, emphasizing the importance of events like the Golf and Business Day in fostering trust and creating sustainable opportunities.
Bakkar reaffirmed AmCham Dubai’s mission “to serve as one voice” for American business and “build strong bridges” between institutions, investors, and companies. “Events like today demonstrate the value of partnership – bringing together leaders from across sectors to create opportunity, encourage dialogue, and support sustainable growth,” he said.
The event concluded with a golf competition, with the winning team receiving awards following the leadership dialogue.
