SEDD Sharjah Cooperative Society Ramadan Partnership Seminar concludes

The one-day seminar, which was fully sponsored by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) and took place at the conference Hall at SEDD headquarters, was attended by numerous guests, including economic experts, high profile officials and the media.

Speaking of the importance of the partnership and the seminar, Nawal Askar, Director of SEDD's Economic and Public Relations Department, said:

'The partnership between SEDD and the Sharjah Cooperative Society is based on communication, coordination and positive exchange of opinions and suggestions. It is a mutually beneficial partnership created to ensure that consumers get high quality products that meet international standards, at reasonable prices.'

'Through this seminar, we sought to reinforce the idea of social responsibility, motivating businessmen to contribute to sustainable development for the good of society while at the same time improving consumers' lifestyles in a way that serves both the economy and sustainable development. In addition, we see in the Sharjah Cooperative Society a strong strategic partner that plays an important role in maintaining the development levels achieved in Sharjah in the last five years,' Askar added.

Mohammed Ahmed Ameen, Sharjah Cooperative Society Board Member and General Secretary, said of the seminar, 'SEDD has always been supportive of cooperative societies in Sharjah, and this seminar provided us with the opportunity to acknowledge the important contribution made by the SEDD and its effect on the end product provided to consumers. The seminar also gave us the opportunity to identify cooperative societies' role in providing basic food needs and fighting price increases, as well as identifying these societies' role in modifying society's consumer behaviour. The Sharjah Cooperative Society is committed to supporting social cooperation, catering for consumer needs, spreading awareness, promoting consumer education and establishing training courses. We are honoured to be involved in building Sharjah's economy.'

A variety of important topics were discussed at the seminar, including the economic and social roles played by cooperative societies, the role of the Sharjah Cooperative Society in providing food security and competitive prices, its role in supporting social cooperation to create a more secure society, and its contribution to balanced consumer education.

In terms of food security and competitive pricing, the Sharjah Cooperative Society's balanced pricing policy provides a marketing environment that is compatible with the social values of society and caters for the needs of clients according to the highest quality standards in residential complexes, the wise directive of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah, and the architectural planning of the emirate and its suburbs.

Through its sponsorship of programmes and charity initiatives made by numerous authorities, institutions and colleges, the Sharjah Cooperative Society is also instrumental in supporting social cooperation to create a more secure society.

Such initiatives include environmental qualification and education programmes, initiatives by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, the Al Thiqa Club for the Handicapped, the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, and the Parents of the Handicapped Society, as well as activities beyond Sharjah's borders, such as catering for the emergency needs in Gaza.

The Society's role in sponsoring programmes aimed at spreading awareness and providing training courses in a wide range of fields, including managerial affairs, human resources, monetary affairs, purchases, pricing, reception and client service, was also discussed during the seminar.

Students also took a look at the Society's establishment and the history of its development, as well as its future plans for economic sectors that are supervised and sponsored by the Human Resources Development Authority.