ع
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrakh, chief executive of the Sharjah FDI Office also known as Invest in Sharjah, announced the launch of Najm at the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum, which took place at the Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre. The event was attended by Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority. According to the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Najm was developed to address difficulties investors face in locating timely and relevant property data for their projects.
The platform permits users to engage in direct dialogue with the AI system, pose follow-up questions and obtain responses tailored to specific project requirements and budgets within seconds. Al Musharrakh told forum delegates that investors often struggle to access the precise information needed at the critical moment, prompting the creation of a tool to deliver it efficiently. The Sharjah FDI Office framed Najm as a navigational aid, noting that its Arabic name means star and symbolises guidance for investment directions.
In its initial phase, Najm concentrates on land parcels, factories and industrial facilities, drawing on verified property data supplied through newly signed partnerships. The Sharjah FDI Office signed three memoranda of understanding at the forum with the Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey, Property Finder and Bayut to integrate official zoning records and active commercial listings. These agreements ensure the AI agent draws from reliable municipal and market sources to generate accurate matches.
A live demonstration illustrated the system’s capabilities when Al Musharrakh queried Najm on behalf of a hypothetical European investor seeking a 50,000-square-foot industrial plot for a factory with a Dh150 million commitment. The agent promptly returned suitable options that could be further refined through additional questions, according to accounts from the Sharjah Investment Forum. The first-phase focus aligns with current demand in manufacturing, logistics and warehousing segments.
Najm’s second phase will broaden coverage to include schools, medical clinics, hospitals and additional sectors such as healthcare, education and technology. The Sharjah FDI Office indicated that subsequent updates will incorporate data from the Department of Economic Development and the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority to expand available opportunities. Officials expect the progressive rollout to conclude additional phases by the end of 2026.
Figures released by the Sharjah FDI Office show the emirate attracted Dh7.74 billion in foreign direct investment last year, marking an 8.8 percent increase from the prior year, while the number of projects rose 45 percent to 142. Light manufacturing, warehousing and logistics led inflows, with technology and hospitality also contributing. The launch of Najm forms part of wider efforts to sustain this momentum by simplifying entry for new investors.
The platform builds on existing digital tools offered by Invest in Sharjah and responds to feedback from the business community about information gaps in real estate and regulatory processes. Al Musharrakh emphasised during the forum that easing access to data accelerates decision-making without replacing professional advisory services. Forum participants, exceeding 6,000 business leaders and officials, received briefings on how Najm integrates with broader economic development initiatives across the emirate.
