Sharjah plans Expo Centre expansion

Authorities in Sharjah are promoting the emirate as a global exhibition centre, inside the UAE and abroad, said a senior official of the emirate’s leading business body. Ahmad Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), said the chamber is expanding facilities at Expo Centre Sharjah and talking to local and international exhibition organisers to bring more events to the city. “SCCI has co-ordinated with international exhibition organisers to bring them to Sharjah, such as the ongoing footwear show and the recently held Steelfab exhibition. They are two global events held only in Sharjah,” Al Midfa said. “We are keen to continue organising such shows to serve traders and businessmen in the region.” SCCI is planning to expand the expo venue to have more halls and other facilities. “Staff are being trained to serve in the planned expansions,” Al Midfa said. Expo Centre Sharjah has signed a deal with French hospitality group Novotel to construct a 300-room hotel near the expo premises, he said. The hotel is currently in the planning stage. “The hotel will help serve overseas exhibitors, traders and businessmen,” he said. The UAE market is open to all and highly competitive, and Sharjah is working to grab a piece of it by hosting international or Middle Eastern exhibitors, he said. The chamber has received positive responses from authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to help Sharjah cement its position on the international exhibition map. “We are in talks with Dubai for the international auto show to be organised in each emirate in turn, every other year,” Al Midfa said.