SAIF-Zone ++ An Ideal Business Hub ++

Sharjah - An Industrial Powerhouse :

Sharjah is the industrial heartland of the UAE, accounting for more then 40% of the country's industrial GDP. Its geographic location has led to a unique integration of land, sea and air links. This in turn offers unbeatable logistical, warehousing and distribution advantages. The only emirate with seaports on the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, Sharjah has carved a niche in the sea-air traffic sector, experiencing growth rates of more than 50% in the last few years.

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF-Zone) and the Airport have been instrumental in helping Sharjah's economy scale new peaks. SAIF-Zone is the fastest growing airport free zone in the region, while the international airport has gained an enviable reputation as a leading cargo hub.

Speed, reliability and cost-effectiveness have been the cornerstones of Sharjah's industrial policy. A stable government, proactive policies, solid industrial base and an attractive incentives package have drawn a very high proportion of foreign investments into Sharjah in recent years.

Economic Overview, Business Opportunities and Currency

The Business Advantage

Currency

Sharjah International Airport

When in 1932, Imperial Airways (known today as British Airways) built an airfield at Sharjah, it was merely a stopover for planes en route to India and Australia. Much later in 1977, Sharjah International Airport opened as the first category II airport in the Arabian Gulf with an annual capacity of two million passengers. In 1980, two purpose built terminals for cargo came into being along with aprons to park six DC8 cargo planes. This was further expanded in 1995 with four additional aircraft parking bays and an additional cargo shed. This was also the year when the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone came into existence.

It is the only major airport of the region dealing with charter operations and it has created a niche as one of the largest cargo hubs in the entire region. Having registered a 10-fold rise in volume, it handles more export volumes than any other airport in the region. Its rapid growth and commitment to providing cargo facilities to international standards led to the establishment of a major hub by Lufthansa Cargo. In 1998, it was awarded the best International Air Cargo Award instituted by the European Institute For Transport Management (EITM) and for two consecutive years (1999 and 2000) was selected as the Best Cargo Hub for Middle East and North Africa.

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