First India-Sharjah Business and Cultural Forum to be launched

SHARJAH - The first ‘India-Sharjah Business and Cultural Forum’ will be launched Wednesday by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) at its headquarters here, a media report said.

The decision to launch this forum was announced at a press conference Monday called by the SCCI here which was attended by the proposed forum’s organisers namely SCCI Director General Hussein Mohammed Al Mahmoudi, Consul General of India in Dubai Venu Rajamony, President of the Indian Business and Professional Council Sudesh Agarwal, and a representative from the Indian Association in Sharjah.

The business, art and cultural event aims to strengthen the cultural communication and mutual relations between India and the UAE, particularly Sharjah, a WAM news agency report said.

The event will see presentations on trade and investment opportunities from the delegates of India and Sharjah, and will also provide the details about a proposed technology centre to be built up in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

Hussein Mohammed Al Mahmoudi, while addressing the press conference, said: “India and the UAE maintain strong economic relations and deep cultural ties, even as the non-oil trade volume between the countries touched USD 44.5 billion in 2008-09. This Forum serves as an ideal platform for interaction between business leaders of India and Sharjah and for highlighting the art and heritage of India. It provides an opportunity for us to appreciate the vital role India has played in the UAE’s growth and development in various levels.”

“Sharjah is a leading destination in helping achieve sustainable and comprehensive development across the region. This event is a major initiative by the SCCI and will certainly contribute to supporting the Indian presence in the UAE at the economic, cultural, artistic, and social levels,” said Rajamony.

Rajamony also outlined the forum’s agenda, including the meetings, programmes, events and topics to be discussed.

He underscored the concerns of participating Indian businessmen and investors and their benefits in the wake of direct communication with their UAE peers to identify the investment opportunity and available prospects in Sharjah.

The forum will also organise cultural programmes in the evening at the University City Hall in Sharjah.

To be held under the theme “India: Then, Now and Forever,” the programme will be introduced by the DARPANA Group under the supervision of famous Indian classical dancer, Mallika Sarabhai.

An art gallery showcasing a painting titled “100 Years of Indian Cinema” on the occasion will also be inaugurated at the SCCI headquarters.