JEDDAH – Sharjah’s economy is expected to grow by up to 7.5% in 2025, reinforcing its reputation as a hub for diverse sectors, according to a senior UAE official.
Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al-Qasimi, Executive Chairman of the Department of Government Relations, stated that the anticipated growth will be driven by progressive policies, enhanced economic integration, and increasing foreign investment in strategic industries.
He emphasized the need for continuous dialogue with the private sector to support key areas such as manufacturing, trade, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
“We will be hosting a number of frank discussions with the private sector about what the government should be doing better to protect the core industries,” Al-Qasimi said during the Sharjah Ramadan Majlis 2025, themed “Sharjah: Shaping the Future, Empowering Growth.”
The event was attended by senior figures including Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al-Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah, and Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.
Al-Qasimi revealed that Sharjah’s GDP now exceeds AED 145 billion (USD 39.47 billion), with the emirate achieving 6.5% growth in 2023, outpacing the global average by 3.5 percentage points.
“We’re proud of the businesses that have built their foundation in Sharjah — especially those in the private sector, which have long been the backbone of our economy. It’s no surprise that global players like Halliburton and Amazon have chosen to invest here,” he added.
Looking forward, Al-Qasimi predicted that smarter policy-making, deeper economic ties, and private sector partnerships would help sustain growth between 6.5% and 7.5% in the coming years.
He noted the economic contributions of various sectors:
- Automotive and vehicle parts trading: 24%
- Agriculture: 19%
- Manufacturing: 17%
- Food ecosystem: 17%
Al-Qasimi also highlighted expected growth in the real estate sector for 2025, pointing to major developers like Alef Group and Arada — the latter co-founded by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al-Qasimi and Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal — as key players in Sharjah’s real estate expansion.
He underscored the importance of understanding supply chain interdependencies and collaborating with businesses to maintain momentum:
“We need to identify the adjacencies and interdependencies in supply chains to understand from the private sector what we need to do to move forward.”
Minister Al-Zeyoudi noted that Sharjah continues to attract global companies, thanks to initiatives like “Invest in Sharjah”, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park.
“Companies are moving here, and we want to highlight the incentives, markets, and benefits offered by the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements,” he said.
Juma Al-Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade, emphasized the role of international commerce in the UAE’s economic strategy. The UAE’s foreign trade grew by 14.6% in 2024, reaching AED 3 trillion, far exceeding the global growth rate of 2%.
“Sharjah’s foreign trade alone increased by 8.1% in 2024 compared to the previous year,” Al-Kait noted. “There’s vast potential for the private sector to leverage these opportunities.”
With nearly 96% of its economy non-oil-based, Sharjah remains a key destination for manufacturing, services, and finance. Its six specialized free zones offer flexible investment opportunities and state-of-the-art infrastructure, making the emirate a magnet for both local and international investors.
