Sharjah: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in partnership with the Indian Business and Professional Council in Sharjah (IBPC), organised a workshop to highlight investment opportunities stemming from the UAE's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs).
According to Emirates News Agency, the workshop, titled "CEPAs and Trade Facilitation," gathered representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Trade, DHL Group, government entities, and the business community. The aim was to discuss strategies that enable companies to leverage the UAE's CEPA programme effectively.
Key figures in attendance included Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI; Lalu Samuel, Chairman of IBPC Sharjah; Dr Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of the International Relations Department at SCCI, alongside government officials, investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives from both local and international companies.
The workshop featured panel discussions and expert presentations, focusing on various aspects such as trade facilitation and investment opportunities, with an emphasis on expanding business relations between the UAE and India.
Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi emphasized that the CEPA programme is integral to the UAE's foreign trade strategy, bolstering international trade ties, expanding market access, and creating new opportunities for SMEs. He highlighted Sharjah's role as a preferred investment destination and strategic gateway for Indian businesses aiming for regional and international growth.
Al Shamsi also noted that more than 20,000 active Indian companies are registered with the Sharjah Chamber, with an annual growth rate of 30 percent. He added that Sharjah's domestic exports to India, as per certificates of origin issued by SCCI, amounted to approximately AED576 million.
Lalu Samuel pointed out that the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement underscores the strength of bilateral economic relations, offering businesses new avenues for expansion through innovation and quality products and services. He cited Sharjah's strategic location, free zones, and Khorfakkan Port as significant advantages for trade with Asian and African markets.
A Ministry of Foreign Trade representative provided an overview of the CEPA programme and Rules of Origin, detailing the agreements' objectives and regulatory framework, along with guidance on maximising market access and customs incentives.
Ben McLean, Director of Commercial Programmes at DHL, discussed the company's logistics solutions for supporting international trade, focusing on cross-border shipping, warehousing, and customs clearance to enhance supply chain efficiency and reduce costs.
Participants underscored the role of CEPAs in expanding market access, reducing or eliminating customs tariffs, removing trade barriers, and enhancing exporters' competitiveness. Discussions also explored opportunities in sectors like logistics, clean energy, technology, financial services, and sustainable agriculture.
The workshop further examined how the agreements support Emirati service providers, reduce technical barriers to trade, and offer advantages for UAE companies in government procurement opportunities in partner countries.
The CEPA programme is a central element of the UAE's strategy to solidify its status as a global trade and investment hub, promoting trade facilitation, tariff reductions, intellectual property protection, and foreign direct investment through strategic international partnerships.