PENCHANT FOR EXPANSION
SEDC is targeting East Africa and looking for ways to expand its manufacturing and technology portfolio.

BIOGRAPHY
Abdelaziz Mohamed Humaid Shattaf is the Assistant Director General for Members Services Sector at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). He is also the Director of SEDC, an initiative of SCCI. He holds a bachelor’s in marketing. He obtained a master’s degree in international business in 2010, and a master’s degree in quality management in 2012, both from University of Wollongong. Shattaf has spent the past six years of his career with SCCI, laying the foundations for SEDC. Previously, he had served as the head of the economic promotions at SCCI for four years, developing extensive experience in industrial and economic development and promotion.How would you assess 2018, and what recent market trends and changes have affected Sharjah's exports?
2018 was a significant year of numerous challenges based on global fluctuations in the market. When the world suffers from downturns, it can make the business climate unpredictable and difficult to manage. Nevertheless, we achieved the same export level in terms of value to both established and new markets, especially in East Africa. We also have important clients in Central Africa. The food and beverage sectors in these locations are showing considerable export potential, and we are determined to make our mark. In certain areas, there was some export decline, but these were often counterbalanced by increased demand elsewhere. We are happy with what we have achieved in 2018 and optimistic for 2019.
Could you tell us about recent projects or developments that the SEDC is involved in?
One major goal is enhancing exporter capability, in terms of manufacturing and technology. We need to ensure that products meet EU standards and regulations in order to export to that market. Recently, we have been working on joint products for export to several European countries, mainly plastics and lubricants. We are optimistic about the center's performance, once it is finalized and working. We hope it will help manufacturers both in Sharjah and across the UAE, and will, therefore, become a regional presence.
What are your main goals for 2019?
East Africa is the main market we are currently targeting, and we have been focused on it since 2015. After our market assessment of 2014, we discovered that several products could be exported, such as electromechanical items. Since then, we have sent various delegations into the region, the last featuring over 30 companies, confirming the scale of our operations there. Furthermore, we are hosting a buyer program whereby many buyers from East Africa visit the Sharjah market first-hand and buy from us. A key challenge we have to overcome is the shipping costs and dealing with custom regulations that differ depending on the country we are exporting to. There is no other retail businesses like our company in Sharjah. We had seen growth of 3% by the end of 2018, and this hopefully will foreshadow further positive results. While we are focused on East Africa, we are evaluating other countries and markets, especially in Central Africa, where we would engage with the same industries as before. We are considering doing business in Nigeria in 2019. We want to put in place a five-year plan for this and other markets.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry is encouraging firms to undergo “smart transformation" when digitalizing their operations or introducing Industry 4.0 technologies.
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Making a Difference
Sharjah has long been a pioneer in the fields of culture and education since the beginning of the UAE. Thanks to His Highness' continued focus on culture, there has been an ongoing effort to focus on educating the youth and families, encouraging greater interest in the arts, fostering social harmony, appreciating diversity, and nurturing a more mindful generation.
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Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka , Under-Secretary-General , UN & Executive Director of UN Women
Freeing women from the fear of domestic violence and opening up opportunities for them in business is not just about doing the right thing, but also serves as a potent formula for economic growth.
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Taher Abu Laila , Senior Director of Northern Emirates, Consolidated Engineering Company Khatib & Alami (K&A)
The concept of smart cities is yet to be fully realized, but K&A is pioneering the adoption of digital services and working with the public sector to move toward a smarter future in an organized way.
read articleFocus: Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park
A Walk in the Park
Working toward becoming an information economy, the UAE is cashing in on the high-tech dividend, and homing in on the Emirate of Sharjah, kudos goes to the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation (SRTI) Park.
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Abdulla Ali Al Mahyan , Chairman, Sharjah Health Authority & Sharjah Healthcare City (SHCC)
The digital revolution underway in the healthcare sector has not skipped over Sharjah, affecting everything from patient records and software-enabled diagnostic systems to telehealth, robotic surgery, and e-pharmacy.
read articleInterview
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa , Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA)
Niche desert lodges, water parks, huge new infrastructure projects, and a world-class architectural restoration project are but a few of the things putting Sharjah on the global tourism map.
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