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This announcement was made in a speech given by SCTDA Chairman H.E. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi during a ceremony organized by the Authority and held at the Millennium Hotel in Sharjah. Also in attendance at the ceremony were SCTDA Director General H.E. Mohamed A. Al Noman, H.E. Abdul Aziz Taryam, General Manager of Etisalat (Northern Emirates region) and a number of VIPs, as well as representatives of local and regional media.
Al Qassimi highlighted the importance of this partnership with Etisalat, saying,
"The UAE is widely recognized for its proficiency and skill in hosting high-profile international events, surpassing the efforts of many advanced countries, thanks in large part to the giant steps it has taken to enhance all aspects of life - economy, science, society, arts and culture, and sport. These steps could only have been achieved through the country's determination to establish freedom, justice, forgiveness and goodwill among the nations of the world, under the wise directives of H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may Allah bless his soul), and the Rulers of the UAE."
"Today," he continued, "the emirate of Sharjah leads the way in hosting international events, with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority hosting the Etisalat-Sharjah Water Festival and its related world-class events, including the coveted final round of the F1 Powerboat World Championships - the Sharjah Grand Prix, the most highly anticipated event in Sharjah and in the UAE in general. Every year the Etisalat-Sharjah Water Festival becomes more thrilling and exciting as we implement innovative new ideas and concepts for educational and entertaining family fun."
"I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our strategic partner, Etisalat, for their continued support of the Etisalat-Sharjah Water Festival 2009, which they are sponsoring for the second consecutive year. We see in the role played by Etisalat a great sense of responsibility and the will to support sustainable growth in Sharjah, giving the tourism sector the necessary tools to achieve Sharjah's goals and to nourish other economic sectors in the emirate. As you all know, our partnership with Etisalat has proven extremely successful, and we will continue to work together to bring a whole new look and feel to the Etisalat-Sharjah Water Festival this year. We look forward to further developing our partnership and to achieving our mutual visions for the future," Al Qassimi concluded.
Speaking of the importance of the partnership, H.E. Abdul Aziz Taryam, General Manager of Etisalat (Northern Emirates region) said, "We are proud of our partnership with the SCTDA, which we see as a direct translation of the vision of H.H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, regarding the importance of consolidating the cooperation between the public and private sectors to improve the tourism product of Sharjah in particular and of the UAE in general. Our involvement in the Sharjah Water Festival reflects our belief in the role that national enterprises and companies should play in contributing to economic, tourism and sport development in the country."
"Etisalat has been a partner and sponsor for many economic, social, tourism and sport events in the UAE, and we fully intend to continue to participate in such activities, due to our belief in the importance of corporate social responsibility," Taryam added. "We are looking forward to a magnificent festival this year, and I wish the organizers of this tourism and sport festival the best of luck. I am sure that this festival will be a rich and rewarding experience for F1 fans and families, and will fulfill all their expectations."
The Etisalat-Sharjah Water Festival 2009, which takes place on the shores of Sharjah's Khalid Lagoon and the adjacent Al Majaz Park, has become one of the UAE's most attractive events for fans of both tourism and sport. The wide variety of interesting and creative entertainment and activities it offers to family members of all ages have resulted in it attracting an increasing number of people every year.
Posted by Rima Ali Al Mashni
