Sharjah Economic Excellence Award executive committee discusses ways to enhance evaluation mechanism

The gathering was headed by Mohammed Ahmed Amin, SCCI Assistant Director General of Economic and International Affairs.

The committee reviewed the current work of the award's general secretariat, as well as proposals that could help in the development of its evaluation mechanism and improve compliance with its criteria.

The group expressed its desire to continuously contribute to the encouragement and development of better business performance at par with regional and international quality and excellence standards through compliance with the requirements of the award.

A report from Nada Al Hajri, SEEA Coordinator, SCCI, was discussed during the meeting. It reviewed the results and achievements in 2008, ongoing preparations for SEEA 2009 in accordance with the time schedule approved by the executive committee, and the award's sub-criteria.

A more intense marketing campaign involving various media was also presented, and a special suggestion aimed at attracting more sponsorship from strategic partners from the private sector was also considered.

The committee was briefed on the new aspects covered by the award last year. Participants observed some areas that needed improvement in order to meet the event's objectives.

The meeting also involved a review of reports submitted by committee members, which included a number of opinions and recommendations focusing mainly on maintaining coordination with Sharjah's government agencies and adding new incentives for winners.

Mohammed Amin emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts and ensuring continuous coordination and consultation between members of the committee in the period leading up to the awards.

He underscored the need to exchange ideas that sustain the development of the award and to work on projecting the best image for SEEA in order to maintain its position as one of the most prominent tributes to the UAE's business and economic sector.

The Sharjah Economic Excellence Award aims to encourage the private sector to pursue development and growth. It was first launched in 1990 under the name 'Best Exporters Award' and was originally intended to motivate exporters to develop unique mechanisms to increase their export rates.

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been committed to further developing the criteria of the award and expanding its levels of participation. The award name was changed to the 'Elite Award' in 1995; under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, it was again renamed in 2001 as the 'Sharjah Economic Excellence Award.'

The award's latest model meets all the requirements of comprehensive quality management. It takes into account the potential of Sharjah's private sector as well as the sustained growth and accelerated development of this vital sector of the national economy.