Sharjah CCI meets local manufacturing and trade representatives from food and consumer goods sector

The business breakfast is part of periodical meetings held by the Chamber with associate members which seeks to share opinions and discuss matters related to the dynamic food sector.

The gathering was attended by SCCI Director General Hussein Mohammed Al Mahmoudi and the Assistant Director General for Membership and Attestation Affairs Khaled Bin Butti Bin Obaid, along with representatives from the Economic Department, Sharjah Municipality, and companies, organisations and decision makers involved in the food industry.

The session focused on major topics revolving around the expansion of the food sector, business strategies and support for future trends, as well as development projects. The attendees reviewed the challenges and obstacles faced by the industry, especially those related to manufacturing and technical issues such as importing raw materials and acquiring equipment and machinery, as well as marketing and prioritising local products so that they remain competitive against exported goods. They also discussed governmental support for this vital sector, which deals directly with the community's basic needs and is linked to food security.

Commenting on the meeting, Al Mahmoudi said:

"Through this occasion we would like to extend our invitation to manufacturing and trade delegates from Sharjah's food and consumer sector to participate in our preparations for our work strategy for the coming year. We also hope that they can join us in the Chamber's upcoming programs and economic events and attend meetings with regional and international economic delegations."

"I would like to reaffirm our commitment to utilizing the resources and facilities at our disposal to help improve this industry and enhance its role in diversifying and uplifting the domestic economy. We shall help promote marketing campaigns for all local food products and build on our strategic relations with governmental bodies and authorities related to this sector to overcome industry challenges in areas such as availability of raw materials, funding, and customs fees, among others," he added.

Al Mahmoudi reviewed initiatives and programs launched by SCCI during the current year aimed primarily at servicing the domestic economy and supporting the Chamber's associate members. The breakfast representatives present commended SCCI's efforts to enhance the culture and performance of Sharjah businesses through workshops, specialized courses and unique initiatives such as the "Economic Excellence Award." They also recognised the Chamber's support in promoting local food commodities and joining regional and international exhibitions to ensure the sector's competitiveness.

"Our Membership and Attestation Affairs group intends to organise a series of periodical meeting as part of our working program to enhance communication with associate members and assess the actual state of economic sectors in the Emirate. We also plan to create a forum for sharing opinions and proposals so that we can identify new work mechanisms that benefit all parties concerned and achieve mutual goals. This in turn positively affects the quality and performance level of the emirate's growing food sector," added Khaled Bin Butti.

Food manufacturing and trade accounts for 14% of Sharjah's economic sectors, with its 462 local establishments specialising in various fields such as food preparation and processing, oils, dairy products, sweets, meats, and related products. This sector plays a dynamic role in diversifying investment and income sources and is a foundation for the domestic economy as it is considered one of the emirate's transformational industries.