The Sharjah Exports Development Center (SEDC), one of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s (SCCI’s) initiatives, said that it has achieved record results during the first half of 2019, adding that the center has managed to accomplish the various aspects of its operational plan and objectives. “This is evident in the center’s effective results in terms of bolstering and promoting services for domestic companies and opening new channels to connect local companies with global markets. In addition to the initiatives launched by SEDC to connect Sharjah’s trade sector with new markets through a series of events involving exhibitions and trade missions to new markets,” added SEDC. Providing Perfect Environment for Exports HE Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, SCCI’s Director-General, said: “Since it was founded, the SEDC has played a key role in providing an ideal supportive environment for local exports through its diverse range of services to encourage industrial and exporting establishments to increase their competitiveness in foreign markets and to respond to regional and international marketing opportunities by providing export solutions and tools and utilizing integrated databases. The matter that contributes to raising export knowledge, providing credit guarantees and technical support for exports.” Al Awadi pointed out that the SEDC, under the direct supervision of the SCCI, always strives to contribute to the promotion and marketing of quality and value-added exports and to provide technical means and supporting mechanisms and incentives to the private sector, as part of the fruitful cooperation with partners and concerned parties locally and internationally. This comes in pursuance of the wise directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in terms of developing Sharjah’s industrial sector and providing all appropriate ways to strengthen the export sector and diversify the sources of income and invest its natural resources in achieving the sustainable development goals. Export Map for Targeted Markets Abdul Aziz Shattaf, SCCI’s Assistant General Director, Members Services Sector and Director of Sharjah Exports Development Center (SEDC), said: “The SEDC is always keen to work with the members and strategic partners to diversify and expand the geographical spread of Sharjah's exports internationally, as well to raise its efficiency and presence in the global markets.” Shattaf stated that the first half of this year witnessed many achievements in terms of finding an export map for the targeted markets in order to contribute to creating opportunities for marketing local products in foreign markets, noting that the SEDC has organized, hosted enormous events, activities, and initiatives to introduce its members locally and internationally, and facilitate their transactions, in addition to participating in several international economic conferences, exhibitions, and markets. IDEX 2019 Exhibition and Conference Shattaf shed light on the SEDC’s achievements, including the participation in "IDEX 2019" at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, which attracted leaders and military experts and international companies specialized in the manufacture of modern defense technology to showcase the most innovative products in this domain, in addition to providing a platform to discuss the efforts exerted from to develop security and defense strategies that contribute to realizing the global peace. The Global Manufacturing and Industrialization Summit (GMIS) Among the SEDC’s important international participations were to accompany the UAE delegation to the 2nd edition of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialization Summit (GMIS), held in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in 2019. The summit witnessed the participation of more than 1,200 Arab and Russian official and economic figures and decision-makers from government leaders and companies from around the world in more than 40 meetings, which discussed the most important issues related to the global industry and the provision of innovative solutions for many of them. The Arab - Russian Business Council The SEDC also held 12th joint meeting of the Arab-Russian Business Council in conjunction with the Fourth Arab Exhibition "Arabia-Expo" held in Moscow on 8-10 April 2019. The exhibition represents the most important platform for exchanging ideas, enhancing Arab-Russian cooperation, establishing joint productive projects and mutual investment to take advantage of the promising opportunities available. Additionally, the SEDC held a number of introductory and specialized workshops in cooperation with the federal agencies and strategic partners, as well as participating in economic meetings organized by the SCCI. Missions Abroad Shattaf also revealed that second half of this year will witness many external participations, the most important of which is the commercial mission to Russia from 02 to 07 September 2019, and the commercial mission to Kenya and Uganda from 25 to 29 November 2019. Besides the participation in Anuga – Cologne Trade Fair, Germany from 5 to 9 October 2019, and the Big 5 exhibition, 25-28 November 2019, Pointing out that the SEDC is always seeking to expand the work of local companies abroad and play a vital role in removing obstacles and help them to penetrate major markets.