SCCI discusses private sector’s challenges via video conference

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) held on Monday its first video conference meeting, as part of the remote working system procedures and the precautionary measures taken to maintain the health and safety of both the employees and the customers.

The meeting is also in line with the preventive measures adopted by the UAE government in light of the global menace of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The meeting was chaired by Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman, SCCI, and in the presence of Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al-Awadi, SCCI’s Director-General, and a number of directors of departments.

The meeting highlighted the challenges facing the private sector in light of the outbreak of COVID-19 and the implementation of some motivational measures to ensure business continuity and sustainability.

The meeting also shed light on the most important achievements made during the first quarter of 2020 and the future plans in view of the developments of the current stage.

Al Owais underlined that this video conference meeting comes as part of the SCCI’s keenness on carrying out the highest levels of safety to maintain the health of individuals and society alongside the business continuity with the same efficiency, stressing the chamber’s commitment to implementing the government resolutions to steer away from gatherings to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

“The SCCI is committed to sustaining its role towards the private sector by finding ways and solutions to face global challenges and enhancing the competitiveness of the business environment in the Emirate of Sharjah. This would help consolidate the SCCI’s role as representative and supporter of the interests of the business community in the emirate and enhance the competitiveness of the private sector,”

The SCCI’s Chairman reaffirmed that the chamber is supporting the interests of investors, especially in light of these global challenges, and it will continue to enhance their investments and secure a motivational environment for their growth.

Al Owais urged all departments to leverage the SCCI’s partnership with various government departments and institutions in Sharjah and to play a key role in making the voice of the private sector heard before these entities to overcome their challenges and find solutions for the benefit of the public interest and the business community, as well as to maintain business continuity and competitiveness.

Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al-Awadi commended the SCCI’s departments for their positive interaction in implementing the preventive and precautionary measures, hailing the rapid response and relentless efforts of the employees who were involved in the remote work.

Al-Awadi stressed that the smart services of the chamber are fully prepared to provide a rich, easy and fast experience for all customers, calling the business community to save their time and effort and take advantage of a wide range of seamless smart services in various electronic and smart channels of the chamber.

On the other hand, the meeting shed light on the measures taken by the chamber regarding the remote work system and the precautionary measures carried out to combat COVID-19, in addition to discussing the possibility of expanding the use of the electronic services and smart app, as well as identifying the responsiveness of the Chamber’s customers and members to the use of these platforms.

Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry was established by an Amiri decree issued in 1970 by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in order to effectively and vitally participate in the organisation of economic life and the prosperity of its trade, industry and professions sectors on all levels and in cooperation with the concerned establishments and bodies and local departments.

Thus, the chamber is keen to include in its membership all the companies and establishments practicing economic activity in the emirate whether it is trade, industries or professions. It has been obligatory for the chamber to follow the economic and civilisational development witnessed by United Arab Emirates a matter that naturally requires change on the different services and activities of the chamber. The law No (1) of the year 1980 organising the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry was issued too include the articles of association and the legal rules and provisions drawing the chamber’s ambitious objects and set the means for its achievement through administrative and executive body having positions according to responsibilities.

The chamber’s board of directors supervises the execution of the general policy and is working on the means for the success of such policy and the reflection of the chamber’s role in the local community. There are also some specialised committees made out of the board of directors to assume many specialisations in the fields of trade, industries, professions and reconciliation.