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The Sharjah Investment Forum opened Wednesday at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre under the theme “Building Adaptive Economies,” drawing more than 10,000 participants for two days of discussions on how economies can respond to rapid changes in markets and supply chains. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, attended the inauguration alongside senior officials and international guests. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq, used his opening remarks to outline the emirate’s approach of preserving assets while developing them into sustainable opportunities that address future demands, according to a statement from the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.
Organisers structured the programme around four pillars that include regulatory competitiveness, artificial intelligence applications in industry, smart capital allocation and the interplay between communities and long-term economic expansion. More than 80 speakers from government, business and technology sectors will lead over 140 activities ranging from keynote addresses to workshops, while 80 business meetings seek to connect investors with potential partners. The Sharjah FDI Office, known as Invest in Sharjah, is staging the event in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Investment.
Invest in Sharjah figures show the emirate drew AED 7.74 billion in foreign direct investment across 142 projects during 2025, with the number of projects rising 45 percent from the prior year and generating 5,673 new jobs. That performance provides context for forum sessions that examine how policy agility, technological adoption and resilient supply networks can sustain such momentum. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, said the pace of change across global markets is prompting governments and businesses to rethink their approach to competition, investment and growth.
Panels on the opening day addressed topics such as moving beyond basic licensing reforms to create conditions for companies to expand and reinvest, with contributions from Hussein Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, and other local business figures. Al Mahmoudi told participants that technology companies require specialised research facilities, intellectual property protections and university linkages to advance innovations in healthcare, logistics and sustainability. A separate workshop explored the role of artificial intelligence in strengthening supply chain decision-making and risk management.
British entrepreneur Simon Squibb is among the international speakers scheduled to share insights on entrepreneurial resilience during a session titled “Thriving in an Era of Constant Change,” while other presentations will cover agentic AI systems and their applications in government services and business operations. The forum also revives its “Seal the Deal” initiative, which in the previous edition secured more than AED 4 million in investment commitments for start-ups in artificial intelligence, robotics and sustainability projects. Over 20 exhibitors are showcasing services that support business expansion in the region.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, delivered a keynote that framed economic partnerships as critical tools for broadening market access and enhancing competitiveness. The gathering reflects Sharjah’s broader push to position itself as a hub for adaptive investment strategies that blend policy innovation with practical business outcomes. Discussions are expected to yield actionable recommendations for both public and private sector participants before the forum concludes on October 15.
