Sharjah unveils plans for a new airport, island...

A recent event organised by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) under the banner ‘Sharjah Day’ aimed to introduce British investors and businesspersons to the fertile investment landscape Sharjah emirate, focusing specifically on the many projects run by Shurooq.

Among various strategic projects presented to overseas investors is a new marina and airport planned as part of an eco-tourism island project in the west coast.

Sir Bu Nuair Island is one of the several Shurooq projects involving the development of a five-star hotel, a village, villas, retail outlets in 36,000 square meters. The airport and marina are part of this integrated offshore island development. This could be the second civilian airport in Sharjah which has a busy airport (Sharjah International Airport) and a successful Airline company, Air Arabia.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, in her keynote address highlighted Sharjah’s business-friendly environment. Sharing the podium was Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, who gave a brief presentation, outlining Shurooq’s projects and the rewarding returns that the authority can offer potential British investors.

Highlighted in particular was the tourism sector, emphasising Shurooq’s unique projects such the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, eco-tourism and Al Majaz Waterfront.

The Sir Bu Nuir Island project involves developing a 16 sq km ecofriendly beautiful island located 80km off the UAE costline in the Arabian Gulf, to be connected to the mainland by boats and plane.

A new airport, second civilian airport in Sharjah, will connect the island to the UAE with a 65-minute flight time or two to four hours sailing by boat. The airport planned as part of the island development will connect the tourism spot to Jabel Ali airport by a 25-minute flight time and 40-minute flight time from Sharjah, according to project details made available to international investors.

“The island will host a luxury five-star hotel and resort, hotel apartments and villas, a camping village, an amphitheatre, a museum, a mosque, an education centre, a harbour, an airport, and a number of other retail and leisure offerings,” according to the project details announced by Shurooq.

Sharjah has been hosting investors from Canada, Portugal and other countries, to discuss various trade and investment options. Several planned and ongoing projects in Sharjah include development of travel and tourism, healthcare, transport and logistics and environmental projects.

Sharjah has been courting investment partners from around the world for investment opportunities in 26 projects that include various master-planned destinations including hotels, eco-tourism, retail and other developments.

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