The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) engaged in discussions with officials from the Indian state of Kerala to explore cooperation in various economic sectors of mutual interest. The meeting aimed to enhance the investment climate and increase trade exchange volumes between Sharjah and Kerala to levels that reflect their potential. This business meeting took place at the SCCI’s headquarters, featuring participants such as Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, and P. Rajeeve, Minister for Law, Industries and Coir in the Government of Kerala.

According to WAM, the meeting was attended by several key figures, including Halima Humaid Ali Al Owais, SCCI Board Member; Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; and Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI. Also present were Dr. Ahmed Saleh Al-Ajla, Director of the Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre “Tahkeem,” and Dr. Fatema Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations at SCCI, along with various officials from both sides.

During the discussions, the two sides focused on enhancing cooperation in areas such as economy, industry, and tourism. There was a strong emphasis on leveraging existing economic partnerships and agreements between the UAE and India to amplify trade relations and foster collaboration in priority sectors. Additionally, they explored opportunities for more frequent meetings between investors and business leaders from both regions to facilitate the exchange of expertise and knowledge.

P. Rajeev extended an invitation to the Sharjah Chamber’s Chairman and members to attend the Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025, which is scheduled for February 21 and 22 at the Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais acknowledged the growing ties between the UAE and India, reiterating the Sharjah Chamber’s commitment to enhancing economic and investment cooperation. He pointed out that the UAE ranks as India’s third-largest global trading partner, with non-oil foreign trade between the two countries reaching $53.8 billion during the first ten months of 2024, a significant increase of 22.6 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

Al Owais highlighted the substantial economic and investment opportunities in both Sharjah and Kerala, noting that the meeting served as a valuable opportunity to unify efforts aimed at boosting cooperation and coordination for joint ventures. The dialogue also sought to leverage mutual events organized by both parties to showcase the advantages of investment in their respective regions, including the “Come on Kerala” exhibition, one of the largest Indian trade festivals in the Middle East hosted by Expo Centre Sharjah.

The meeting also addressed important laws and regulations designed to stimulate economic growth in both Sharjah and Kerala. Both sides underscored their advanced legislative frameworks that attract foreign investments and support business establishment across various economic sectors. Furthermore, the SCCI highlighted the initiatives of the Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre “Tahkeem” in promoting arbitration understanding among legal experts and business leaders on local, regional, and international fronts. The Centre’s efforts in resolving commercial disputes and conducting specialized seminars, training programs, and international conferences on commercial issues were also emphasized.