SHARJAH: The emirate of Sharjah continued its journey of excellence during the Year 2017, taking bold and decisive strides towards the future under the visionary leadership of Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. 

This journey of excellence has seen Sharjah shine on all fronts – from its landmark achievements on the cultural, social and intellectual front to its extraordinary performance on the economic and development front, attracting more international investments and unveiling a number of big ticket projects, aimed at providing greater facilities and services to the citizens and residents.

World Book Capital

Further recognising Sharjah’s celebrated status as the Cultural Capital of the Arab and Islamic world, Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) crowned the emirate with the prestigious ‘World Book Capital’ title for Year 2019.

The honour is a proud moment for the UAE and the Arab world and is a recognition of the emirate’s pioneering role in supporting and expanding the local and regional publishing industries, promoting reading to become an intrinsic cultural practice, as well as embracing intercultural, knowledge-based dialogue.

The accolade is an important addition to Sharjah’s existing portfolio of milestones like, Capital of Arab Culture (1998), Capital of Islamic Culture (2014), and Capital of Arab Tourism (2015). The emirate is the first in the GCC and third in the Arab world and Middle East to have received this recognition. Sharjah was chosen for the quality of its literary and cultural activities, and for its unfailing efforts to make books accessible to the entire population of the nation.

Commenting on the achievement, Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Emirates Publishers Association, and Head of Sharjah’s World Book Capital Organising Committee, said: “We are proud to have been recognised on a global scale for literary excellence, and having our name being put on the same platform with some of the world’s frontrunners in the world of books and reading.”

She added: “This signals a fruition of the momentous project established four decades ago by Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi. He has led efforts of both institutions and individuals working to shape the emirate’s cultural identity with knowledge and books. It’s his strong belief in intercultural dialogue as a means to advance local communities that has led to the establishment of a tolerant, culture-loving society in Sharjah.”

Publishing City

Sharjah has begun a new chapter in its leading position as a hub for books, knowledge and culture with the launch of Sharjah Publishing City (SPC), a unique special zone for hundreds of publishers and stakeholders in the publishing industry. Sheikh Sultan inaugurated the first of its kind entity in the region on Oct.30, 2017. 

Phase one of the landmark project opened with room for 550 publishers.

Further stages of the project will build capacity to print a million books daily. Extending over 40,000 square metres, SPC provides 300 furnished offices for business owners and publishers, plus an area of 6,000 square metres for investors who wish to create their own spaces.

Social Security Fund

In another bold step underscoring his continuing concern for the welfare and well-being of the emirati citizens, Sheikh Sultan set up Sharjah Social Security Fund on Nov.29, 2017 by issuing Law No. 09 of 2017. The Sharjah Social Security Fund aims to create a legislative framework that reflects social security and ensures that Emirati civil servants have a comfortable and dignified life for themselves and their families.

The Ruler of Sharjah also issued Emiri Decree No. 70 of 2017 on subordinating Sharjah government employees to the Sharjah Social Security Fund (SSSF). The Decree stipulates that Emirati employees working in government and semi-government entities, Sharjah’s government bodies and institutions, as well as companies and private sector enterprises wholly owned by the government of Sharjah, are subject to the legislative provisions of establishing and organising the SSSF, pensions, and retirement benefits in the emirate.

Massive Salary Hike

In a historic decision in the final days of 2017, Sheikh Sultan gifted a massive salary hike to all Emirati employees of Sharjah government, dramatically restructuring the pay scales by allocating Dhs600 million in the annual budget of the emirate. Reaffirming his concern for the well-being of the people of Sharjah and UAE government employees, the Ruler of Sharjah took the extraordinary decision unveiling an unprecedented increase in the salaries of all Sharjah government staff and dramatically revising the pay structure as of Jan.1, 2018.

Sharjah Media Council

Sheikh Sultan ordered the establishment of Sharjah Media Council (SMC) by issuing an Emiri Decree (No. 6 of 2017) led by Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi in order to invigorate and organise Sharjah’s booming media sector. Through Emiri Decree No. 11 of 2017, he also ordered the formation of a free media zone under the name of ‘Sharjah Media City, which will be affiliated to Sharjah Media Council. 

As per the decree, the Council is tasked with the responsibility of evolving the media policy of the emirate, enhancing the media status of the emirate locally, regionally and internationally, coordinating among media institutions in conformation with the policy of the emirate and supervising the free zones attached to it. The establishment of SMC is being seen as a historic step and is meant to further enhance Sharjah’s profile and presence in the media sector locally, regionally and internationally. 

Under the able leadership of Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Sharjah Media Council, which now manages Sharjah Media Corporation (Sharjah Radio & TV), Sharjah Media City (Shams) and Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) – earlier known as Sharjah Media Centre – has hit the ground running.

Sharjah Media City

The establishment of Sharjah Media City (Shams), an affiliate of Sharjah Media Council (SMC), is another ambitious project by the emirate to enhance Sharjah’s presence and profile in the regional and international media sector using the concept of ‘media free zone.’

According to the Emiri decree, Shams aims to develop and incubate talents and human force in the media sector, impart media education and training, augment and develop high quality creative content, and provide ideal media and creative environment by setting up an attractive and a sustainable city of world-class standards and infrastructure to offer various services in this specialised area.

Shams will enable small and medium enterprises and establishments, as well as involve world leaders in media and creative sectors, enhancing Sharjah’s reputation in the media and creative fields.

Media Bureau

Established in 2011 as the Sharjah Media Centre by the Ruler of Sharjah and now renamed as the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the Bureau has emerged as the voice of the emirate in the media sector and played a key role in enhancing Sharjah’s profile and presence in the global media landscape. 

The SGMB is the manifestation and fruition of the cultural and intellectual vision of the Ruler of Sharjah, which views the emirate as an epitome of Sharjah’s Arab and Islamic heritage and cultural identity. 

Functioning under the Sharjah Media Council (SMC) headed by Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the SGMB has turned the spotlight on the exclusive area of government communication, emphasising its critical role in enhancing interaction between governments and people and improving the experience of governance and services. 

IGCF

Guided by Sheikh Sultan, Sharjah launched the inaugural edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) in 2012. A first-of-its-kind event in the region, the Forum has emerged as a high-profile and influential international event that attracts the global movers and shakers and finest minds in the media and communication sector from around the world, who debate the serious issues and challenges facing the world community.

Hosted now by International Government Communication Centre (IGCC), the event witnesses the convergence of local, regional and global media experts along with government thought leaders from all over the world in Sharjah.

IGCC

International Government Communication Centre (IGCC) was established as part of the recommendations of the International Government Communication Forum held earlier this year. Set up as a resource centre for government communication and research, education and training facility for government media professionals, communication experts and students of media and communication, the Centre seeks to attract international expertise to support the capabilities and performance of government communication staff and to arm them with the knowledge of the best international practices in government communication.

The initiative of the IGCC, unveiled during the International Government Communication Forum 2017, is driven by the vision of building an integrated government communication system and advanced platforms for producing knowledge and specialised programmes for training and improving skills and capabilities in government communication.

The centre aims to enhance the abilities of all those employed in the government communication sector by implementing world-class programmes in professional development and training. 

Sharjah 24

Sharjah 24 Arabic news portal, which function sunder Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) has in the shortest possible time established itself as the favourite news site for all Sharjah residents, especially in tracking all events, activities and developments of the Government of Sharjah, the UAE Government as well as regional and international news and happenings. 

While the Arabic news portal has been a big hit right since its launch in 2014, Sharjah 24 came up with its English version in 2016, which has again been extremely popular with the UAE residents and people across the region.

Sharjah Press Club

Functioning under Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Sharjah Press Club (SPC) provides a vibrant working and networking environment for all media professionals and government communication practitioners. Membership in SPC is a chance for media professionals to invest in their career and join Sharjah’s most inclusive and innovative forum of communications professionals.

Ramadan Majlis

The Bureau celebrated the holy month of Ramadan this year by hosting the sixth edition of immensely popular Sharjah Ramadan Majlis at Al Majaz Amphitheatre. The Sharjah Ramadan Majlis had been initiated as part of the vision of Sharjah leadership to celebrate the Arab and Islamic spirit of tolerance and dialogue six years ago and has grown into an extremely popular series. 

Age-Friendly City

Sharjah added yet another feather to its much adorned cap this year when it joined the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. Sharjah is the first Arab city among 414 major cities from around the world, and one of the two Middle Eastern cities – the other one being Tehran – to join the exclusive club. This is the realisation of yet another dream of the Ruler of Sharjah and an essential part of his humane vision for the emirate and its people.  

In January 2017, the Ruler of Sharjah issued an administrative decree (No. 2 of 2017) formally heralding the emirate’s decision to join the Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. However, the efforts on this front by the emirate have been going on for years, in order to turn Sharjah into a city that cares for and is friendly to all age groups in general and the elderly and infirm in particular. This envisages creating world-class amenities, infrastructure, and social services that take care of the special needs and concerns of the elderly. 

Child-Friendly City

As part of the Sharjah leadership’s vision and constant efforts to make and present the emirate as a city that is ideal and friendly for all age groups and all members of family, especially children, Sharjah has become the first city from the Middle East to aspire for the membership of Unicef’s (United Nations Children’s Fund) ‘Child Friendly City’ Initiative. 

In February 2017, Unicef announced Sharjah as the Middle East’s first candidate for the organisation’s ‘Child Friendly City’ initiative. The Child Friendly City initiative aims to guide cities in the inclusion of children’s rights as a key component of their goals, policies, programmes and structures.

Economic Forum

Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi – who heads Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and a number of highly influential government bodies, socio-cultural organisations and entities in Sharjah and UAE – has now been chosen as the co-chair of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and head of the WEF’s Regional Business Council (RBC) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Sheikha Bodour became the first Emirati woman chosen to co-chair the World Economic Forum, when she co-chaired the World Economic Forum on MENA in 2015. At this year’s forum she participated in a number of panel sessions including the ‘Arab World from History to Fiction’ and ‘Stewarding a Policy Framework for Generational Transformation.’ Sheikha Bodour is also a member of the WEF MENA Regional Strategy Group (RGS).

Arab Writers Union

Sheikh Sultan ordered the allocation of a permanent headquarters for the General Union of Arab Writers by issuing an administrative Resolution No. 12 of 2017. The move reflects Ruler of Sharjah’s staunch belief in the important role played by Arab writers, and is in line with his keenness to support their work and encourage them to carry out their active cultural role for enhancing the Arab cultural heritage and the cultural and literary march in the Arab world.

Growing economy

Sharjah’s economy continues to perform strongly notwithstanding the global economic sentiment and the challenge of low oil prices that has faced most economies in the region.  The emirate’s economy, one of the most diverse in the region and not critically and solely dependent on the oil revenue has maintained its trajectory of growth on all fronts. 

Sharjah remains one of the fastest growing economies in the region and the UAE’s third largest. With nearly 50 per cent of the UAE’s industries and factories being based in Sharjah, the emirate also remains the industrial capital of the nation. 

Tourism Destination

Known for its celebration of Arab and Islamic heritage and culture, tourist attractions and more than 20 museums and cultural centres, Sharjah continues to remain a huge draw for international tourists, underscoring its reputation as a complete family tourism destination.

Sharjah’s hospitality sector revenues witnessed a 7.8 percent increase during the first half of 2017, reaching Dhs372 million, according to the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA).

SCTDA also reported a 70 percent occupancy rate from January to June 2017, with the total number of guests for the first half of the year reaching 885,000, up 3.5 percent on the same period in 2016.