Communication is the focus at the fourth session of the Public Private Partnership programme

The programme is being conducted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and the Honorary Chairman of Sharjah Tatweer Forum.

As part of the team building exercise, the participants were separated into two different groups. Themed "Communication is Key", each of the two teams was set a task and required to achieve a joint objective.

However, this was made especially challenging as the participants were physically separated and could only communicate at half hour intervals via meetings and limited phone calls. But they had unlimited email access.

During the debriefing session, participants discussed the exercise and related the experience to examples from reality and everyday business challenges.

The team building event was conducted by Pro Training.

Mr. Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Chairman, Sharjah Tatweer Forum, said: "The Public Private Partnership programme is aimed at sharing best practices between the two sectors and further work jointly towards developing solutions and services for the betterment of the community. During the last four sessions, the participants have demonstrated their keenness for the best to come out of this initiative of Sharjah Tatweer Forum".

The PPP programme aims to foster public private partnership and encourages the private sector to play a greater role in the economic and social development activities in Sharjah as well as promote the opportunities in the emirate in the fields of culture, commerce, industry and tourism.

It is aimed at promoting closer working relationships and sharing of best practices between organisations from both public and private sectors.

Mr. Khaled bin Butti, Director General, Planning and Land Survey department, Government of Sharjah, a participant representing the public sector, said: "The PPP programme has been a good learning experience for us. It has provided us an opportunity to work closely with the private sector. We are certain that the Programme would lead to joint initiatives being implemented in Sharjah".

Mr. Iqbal Usman, Group Executive Director, IFFCO, a participant representing the private sector, said: "All the sessions of the PPP programme have been engaging and informative. The programme has been well structured and lays down a foundation for both private and public sectors to work jointly for the society at large".

du, the new telecommunications company in the UAE, is a supporter of the Public Private Partnership programme of the Sharjah Tatweer Forum.

The PPP programme being conducted by Sharjah Tatweer Forum will run until May 2008. The programme will include activities ranging from field visits, analytical exercises and team-work in addition to expert lectures.