Shurooq discusses future collaboration with US Regional Trade Centre

Sharjah, Feb 12, 2013 (WAM) - The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) welcomed a delegation from the Sharjah-based US Regional Trade Centre (USARTC), to explore future collaboration between the two sides. The USARTC delegation included its CEO J.S. Solaiman, the Vice President Alia Karmeh, and Dawn Warner, National Sales Director at USART, and Kim Childs. Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) was represented by its CEO Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Shurooq COO, Director of Business Development at Shurooq, Elie Armaly, and Head of Investment Promotion at Shurooq, Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, Shurooq, who made use of the opportunity to discuss future collaboration between the Authority and the USARTC with regards to international road shows, jointly receiving and sending international delegations, as well the possibility of cooperatively organising a series of seminars. In addition, a brief introduction of Shurooq was given through a short presentation. The aim of the visit was to familiarise the USARTC with Shurooq's various ongoing and planned projects as well as the Authority's investment related activities. USARTC in turn gave an overview of their mission and activities in the region, which focuses on enabling business, trade, and cultural understanding between the USA and the UAE and the greater Middle Eastern region, through the facilitation of service, trade, manufacturing, and agricultural export opportunities for US Small and Medium size Enterprises (SME's) to the region, with the ultimate aim to create US jobs through US export. Shurooq CEO Marwan Al Sarkal commented, "The volume of UAE/US trade in 2012 was 15.58 billion US dollars, ranking the States as the Emirates third most important trade partner. In addition, the UAE has been the Arab world's leading importer of U.S. goods and services for the past five years, importing over 15.88 billion in US dollars goods and services in 2011. For this reason we are looking forward to further strengthening the relationship between the US and the Emirates, specifically Sharjah. In line with our mandate we are constantly exploring ways through which to increase Sharjah and the UAE's investment footprint and USARTC various projects and activities afford a multitude of opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation." - Emirates News Agency, WAM