In cooperation with the Moroccan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) organised the UAE-Moroccan Business Forum to discuss economic relations and ways to boost trade & investment cooperation between Sharjah and Morocco. While receiving a high-level Moroccan delegation from Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIS) of Fes-Meknes, at its headquarters, the SCCI held a business meeting with Moroccan officials to explore avenues of cooperation and ways to improve their coordination in a number of economic sectors. During the meeting, both sides highlighted investment opportunities and projects available in both countries and discussed possible mutual investments in real estate, private education, food industries and tourism sectors. The SCCI delivered a presentation, outlining its current and future plans aiming to strengthen the emirate's position as an attractive hub for providing business facilities and promoting modern and advanced infrastructure. The meeting was attended by HE Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, Mohamed Ait Ali, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to UAE, and Abdallah Abdellaoui, 1st Vice President of the ICC Fes Meknes and head of the visiting delegation, Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, SCCI's Director-General as well as Ali Abroon, 4th Vice-President of the ICC Fes Meknes. Also present were, Abdul Aziz Shattaf, SCCI’s Assistant General Director, Members Services Sector and Director of Sharjah Exports Development Centre (SEDC), Ibrahim Rashid Al Jarwan, Director of Economic Relations and Marketing at the SCCI, and Fatima Al Mokarrab, Head of the SCCI's International Cooperation Department. A number of businessmen from major Moroccan companies specialized in real estate, food industries, tourism, hospitality and education also attended the meeting. Open to full cooperation Welcoming the visiting delegation, Al Owais lauded the brotherly strong relations between the UAE and Morocco, stressing that the Sharjah Chamber is open to full cooperation with the business community in Morocco so as to serve the common goals and interests of both sides. “Sharjah’s unparalleled facilities provided to businessmen and investors have largely contributed to boosting its growth, making it an exceptional investment destination. It is not only about its economic diversity and strategic location but also about its helpful legislations and regulations, government facilities, free zones, modern ports, and promising investment opportunities”, Chairman of the SCCI said. Remarkable steps For his part, SCCI's Director-General highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation with Morocco in industrial, real estate investment, tourism and trade sectors, especially with the two cities (Sharjah & Fès-Meknès) having competitive advantages in these areas. “Sharjah has taken remarkable steps to develop and bolster its economy, and establish the concepts of excellence, quality and innovation in all its economic sectors. With as many as 21 industrial cities available, Sharjah has become an even more attractive business hub, adding to that its constant investment in tourism sector, which attracts a huge number of visitors from all over the world”, Al Awadi highlighted. A step in the right direction Meanwhile, the Moroccan ambassador Mohamed Ali commended the deeply rooted relations between Sharjah & Fès-Meknès, stressing that the visit is a step in the right direction towards building stronger and distinguished bilateral relations, enhancing economic partnership, and developing both business communities’ ties. The ambassador stressed that Fez-Meknes business community is very much interested to benefit from Sharjah’s vast experience, which made it a global business model, and a leading city for innovative global best practices. Additionally, Abdallah Abdellaoui reaffirmed ICC Fes Meknes’ keenness to enhance cooperation and trade exchange with Sharjah chamber to serve their common interests and support business partnerships. He invited Sharjah chamber and Emirati businessmen to attend the Fes-Meknes Economic Forum, which will be hosted and organised in Fes-Meknes next December, to learn more about available investment opportunities. “We are fully ready to offer all necessary support to attract Emirati investments, business and industrial projects to Morocco”, said Abdellaoui.