Sicilian Regional Assembly visits Sharjah

Fagone can be considered a pioneer in the improvement of the commercial and cross-cultural bonds between Sicily and the UAE and it is also thanks to his measures that the Region of Sicily has been recently very active in this area.

Among the various initiatives the participation at the Arabian Travel Market 2008 and the past two editions of the Italian Festival Week were particularly remarkable and successful.

During his official visit, Honourable Fagone had the opportunity to meet H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman and CEO of Manafa LLC and Vice Chairman of Italian Industry and Commerce in the UAE and the GCC.

The topics that were on the agenda ranged from the development of the commercial relationship, to the growth of inbound and outbound tourism between Sicily and the Emirate of Sharjah, as well as to the possibility of venturing in to some new projects for the management of Sicilian cultural heritage.

Sicily's investments in the region over the past three years have produced significant results, with a growing appreciation of Sicilian products in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial exchanges value has risen strongly and constantly in the last few years: Sicily's exports to the UAE increased by 70% in the periods of 2006/2007 and 2007/2008. In 2008 it reached a total amount of €168m.