Expo Centre Sharjah can play a key role in helping German establishments and investors find a foothold in the country as well as the entire region, more than 600 policy makers, senior executives and experts from both the Arab World and Germany were told last week. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah, was part of the high-level delegation comprising senior executives and decision makers from Sharjah's government bodies and private sector corporations that attended the just-concluded 19th Arab-German Business Forum as well as the Sharjah-Berlin Seminar in Berlin. "The twin events gave us an opportunity to promote the Emirate's business-friendly environment and investment opportunities to German business people and government officials. Expo Centre is a familiar name in German business circles given that most of our shows either have impressive German pavilions or large participation by German businesses," said Midfa. The day-long Sharjah-Berlin Seminar, which was organized by Shurooq in association with the German-Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the German-Arab Friendship Association and the Berlin Partner for Business and Technology, brought together more than 50 German investors and businesspersons. Besides Midfa, the Sharjah team included senior officials and executives from the Department of Government Relations, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shurooq, AUS Enterprises and Bee'ah. "The seminar also included a panel discussion on ‘Investment Opportunities in Sharjah', which helped us showcase the true potential of Sharjah, clear doubts and queries and provide practical advice to participants. While highlighting the opportunities awaiting German companies, we also told them to see Sharjah as not only a business destination but also as an entry point to the entire Gulf and Middle East region," Midfa said. By participating and attending trade fairs organized by Expo Centre, German business people and investors can also explore opportunities to set up businesses, joint ventures, look for distribution partners and above all boost trade and economic ties between both the countries, added Midfa. Germany is the UAE's fifth largest foreign trade partner and the UAE is Germany's most important trade partner in the Arab World. According to recent statistics, trade between the UAE and Germany was valued at $15.5 billion in 2015.
