Sharjah: Sharjah is deepening its economic engagement with China as the emirate pursues new opportunities in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, smart mobility, and sustainable energy through a high-level mission to Guangdong Province, one of China's leading centers of innovation and industrial production. Led by the Department of Government Relations (DGR), the delegation brought together senior representatives from government, investment promotion, digital transformation, sustainability, and business sectors to engage with some of China's most influential public and private institutions.
According to Emirates News Agency, the mission coincided with participation in AIM Talks China 2026, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade in partnership with the AIM Global Foundation. This visit comes as economic ties between Sharjah and China continue to strengthen, with non-oil trade between the two countries reaching US$111.5 billion in 2025. China is one of Sharjah's priority international source markets for advanced manufacturing, mobility and logistics, and green technology, and is also the emirate's primary international target market for culture and tourism.
The delegation included prominent figures such as Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations and the Higher Committee for Economic Integration in the Emirate of Sharjah; Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director-General of Sharjah Digital Department; Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah; along with other key representatives from the investment and business sectors.
During AIM Talks China 2026, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi highlighted the opportunities arising from the rapidly changing global economy. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a human-centered approach to development, noting that lasting prosperity depends on policies that place people and communities at the heart of economic progress.
Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer noted that Sharjah's development model is founded on the belief that economic growth, culture, tourism, and quality of life are mutually reinforcing drivers of long-term prosperity. He stated that Sharjah is well-positioned to capture emerging opportunities as investors increasingly prioritize innovation, sustainability, and quality of life alongside financial returns.
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh highlighted Sharjah's role as a strategic gateway for companies expanding across the Middle East and Africa, supported by a growing reputation as a hub for manufacturing, logistics, and regional operations. He noted that Sharjah attracted 142 foreign direct investment projects worth AED7.74 billion in 2025, generating 5,673 jobs.
The visit included engagements in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, focusing on digital innovation, manufacturing, trade and logistics. The delegation held meetings with government and economic institutions and leading companies in sectors aligned with Sharjah's development priorities, including Huawei, Shenzhen Urban Planning and Design Institute, and Shenzhen Smart City Technology Development Group.
In the field of smart mobility and new energy, the delegation held discussions with companies like BYD, WeRide, and XPENG on emerging technologies in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and sustainable mobility, areas that are reshaping the future of transport and industrial competitiveness globally.