Sharjah explores economic and trade partnerships with Belgium

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

As part of its ongoing efforts to advance economic and trade cooperation with Belgium, the Department of Government Relations (DGR) in Sharjah hosted an official dinner at The Chedi Al Bait Hotel. The event was held in the presence of Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR, and Antoine Delcourt, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the United Arab Emirates, alongside diplomats, investors, and senior officials from both sides.

Sharjah’s strategic commitment to deepening its economic ties with the European Union was reflected in the event, which aimed to identify new avenues for collaboration and investment. It provided a valuable opportunity for exchanging expertise and insights, while also exploring practical steps to expand economic cooperation in alignment with the emirate’s broader development objectives.

The event featured a comprehensive presentation that highlighted Sharjah’s key economic sectors and the promising prospects available to European investors, particularly in technology, logistics, healthcare, education, and culture. Attendees were also briefed on the emirate’s business landscape and the competitive advantages it offers to international stakeholders.

Notable attendees included Joren Selleslaghs, Political Affairs Adviser and Deputy Head of the Belgian Diplomatic Mission; Albert Feytons, Science and Technology Commissioner for Flanders; Laurence Heyblom, Trade Commissioner for Brussels; and Edith Mayeux, Trade Commissioner for the Walloon region. They were joined by senior Sharjah officials, including Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, SRTI Park; Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office; Khaled Al Huraimel, CEO of BEEAH Group; and Omar Al Mulla, CEO of Sharjah Asset Management.

Representatives from several major Belgian companies operating in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, finance, technology, industry, and services also took part. Their presence facilitated direct discussions, expert exchange, and exploration of future collaboration opportunities.

A growing partnership with Belgium Commenting on the event, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi affirmed that the meeting represented a significant milestone in the steadily advancing partnership between Sharjah and Belgium. He highlighted the emirate’s ongoing commitment to strengthening both economic and cultural ties with member states of the European Union, noting that the EU is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner.

The Chairman said: “Current economic indicators demonstrate the resilience and depth of relations between the UAE and the European Union, with non-oil trade continuing on a consistent upward trajectory. Within this framework, Belgium plays a key role, particularly in re-export and logistical integration. It stands as the UAE’s leading partner in re-exports to EU markets, underscoring the strategic connectivity between our ports and markets.” He added: “Bilateral economic relations between the UAE and Belgium are increasingly robust, characterised by strong growth in non-oil trade. The UAE accounts for a notable portion of Belgium’s trade with the Arab world, reflecting a foundation of confidence. This trust supports the advancements of partnerships in innovation, technology, and infrastructure. We are confident that today’s meeting will serve as a catalyst for new opportunities, encouraging Belgian investors to explore the unique advantages Sharjah offers as a gateway to the region.” This meeting is part of a series previously held between the DGR and Belgian counterparts, both in the UAE and in Brussels. It reflects Sharjah’s long-term vision to foster enduring partnerships with European investors and solidify its position as a leading destination for high-value investments in the region.

Meanwhile, Sharjah Finance Department Launches AI-Powered “Shj3” Virtual Assistant to Enhance Customer Experience In line with its ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance digital government services, the Sharjah Finance Department (SFD) has officially launched its new AI-powered virtual assistant platform, “Shj3”, developed by “Tahseel”. The innovative platform marks a major leap in the digital transformation of Sharjah’s financial systems, aiming to provide secure, efficient, and user-friendly support and payment services for individuals and businesses through multiple “Tahseel” channels—saving both time and effort for all users.

The launch ceremony was held at the SFD’s headquarters in the presence of Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Finance Department, Huda Al Yassi, Director of the Financial Systems Department, along with SFD heads, specialists, and a number of staff members.

H.E. Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi emphasized that the launch of “Shj3” reflects the SFD’s future-forward vision to build an intelligent financial environment powered by cutting-edge AI technologies.

“This initiative simplifies financial processes, reduces transaction time, and enhances transparency in government services. It reinforces Sharjah’s position as a leading city in adopting smart, digital solutions and opens new horizons for improving the user journey while achieving seamless integration between financial systems and smart platforms to boost operational efficiency and service quality.” “Shj3”: A Name Inspired by Sharjah’s Strategic Identity H.E. Sheikh Rashid further explained that the platform’s name, “Shj3”, was carefully chosen to reflect Sharjah’s digital identity: “Shj” stands for Sharjah, and the number “3” symbolizes the emirate’s strategic economic and geographic dimensions. Sharjah hosts three major seaports and covers approximately 3.3% of the UAE’s total area, underscoring its role as a key economic hub in the region. The name reinforces the Department’s commitment to aligning smart services with institutional identity and real-world relevance.