Representatives from Sharjah's government and government-related entities said they are open to foreign partnerships and investments, during the ongoing World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai.

Sectors such as healthcare, technology, aviation, media and tourism were highlighted to be of interest.

"For Sharjah, it is about finding like-minded cities to partner with," says Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid al-Qassimi, CEO of Sharjah's Department of Government Relations. He cites the example of the collaboration between the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation and the Vatican Ethnological Museum back in 2014, a cross-faith exhibition that was the first of its kind for the Vatican.

Al-Qassimi was a part of the 'Investment Opportunities in Sharjah' session at WGS, which included Shihab al-Hammadi, managing director of Sharjah Media City; Mohamed al-Musharrkh, CEO of Sharjah FDI Office; Abdulaziz al-Muhairi, chairman of Sharjah Health Authority; and Hussein al-Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park (SRTI Park).

SRTI Park's Al-Mahmoudi highlighted three key technology investment sectors: healthcare, transport and logistics, and agriculture. 

"The main objective of [the park] is to accelerate the pace of innovation in different sectors," said Al-Mahmoudi. "And this is done through four main activities: developing an innovation ecosystem that includes both soft and hard infrastructure; development of talent; developing technologies; and finally, to create thriving environments for enterprises."

Several local and international companies have a base at the STRI Park, including Cafu, the Middle East and North Africa’s (Mena) first fuel-on-demand mobile application; solar energy specialist Civil Twin Renewable Middle East; Netherlands-based autonomous vehicle company 2GetThere; and Cybe Construction, which has developed a 3D printed home at the park. 

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