
Nasser Al-Qahtani: 11 countries win Sharjah Public Finance Awards
Expanded award categories and criteria
Dr Al-Qahtani stated that the Sharjah Public Finance Award has broadened participation opportunities at both the individual and institutional levels. This was achieved by expanding the award's categories to 22 in total, with 11 dedicated to individuals and 11 to institutions. He noted that the initiative has led to tangible improvements in the performance of financial institutions across the region.
Encouraging regional competition
He further emphasized that over its three editions, the award has successfully fostered competition among Arab financial institutions, and expressed hope that this momentum would continue, reaching even more Arab nations in future editions.
Rigorous evaluation standards
Dr Al-Qahtani highlighted that the award employs precise evaluation standards to identify and recognize the best practices in financial management across the Arab world, thereby reinforcing its credibility and impact.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Sharjah 24
8 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah shines light on experience as World Book Capital
The authority's participation in the largest event of its kind in Latin America, which runs until June 22, comes as part of Brazil's celebration of World Book Capitals following the selection of Rio de Janeiro as the World Book Capital for 2025. This prestigious title, which Sharjah held in 2019, recognises the emirate's global standing in supporting culture and the publishing industry. Through its pavilion, SBA shed light on the diversity of the cultural movement in the UAE and the wider Arab world, highlighting major achievements in knowledge, literature and publishing. The authority actively engaged in panel discussions and held meetings with publishers, translators and cultural organisations, to strengthen knowledge exchange and expand opportunities for translating works to and from Arabic. As part of its efforts to build lasting partnerships, SBA invited key players in the publishing industry to take part in the emirate's leading international initiatives, including the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, the Sharjah Publishers Conference, the Sharjah International Library Conference and other prominent global events held throughout the year. Commitment to cultural dialogue His Highness Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, affirmed that the authority's participation in the Rio International Book Fair reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who places culture at the heart of development strategies and views books as a powerful tool for building bridges of dialogue with the world. Al Ameri said: 'Sharjah's presence in Rio highlights the central role of Emirati and Arab culture on the global knowledge map. Today, we are not only sharing our Emirati identity but also fostering a vibrant dialogue between Latin America, with its rich intellectual and cultural heritage, and the Arab world in all its expressions of thought, literature, art, and creativity. The selection of Rio as World Book Capital for 2025 offers us an opportunity to renew and strengthen our partnerships with the cultural community in Latin America.' He added: 'Under the guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, we are committed to empowering Emirati and Arab publishers and authors to reach new markets and to developing sustainable support systems that enhance their presence on the global publishing stage.' The Sharjah-led new literary movement As part of the cultural programme at the book fair, SBA organised a panel discussion titled "The heritage of Arab literature and Sharjah-led new literary movement", which explored the evolution of the Emirati literary landscape and the emirate's vital contribution to nurturing writers and advancing cultural initiatives. The session featured renowned Emirati authors whose works have been translated into Portuguese by SBA, including Abdul Hamid Ahmad, author of 'On the edge of the day'; Lulwah Al Mansouri, author of 'We came out of the rib of a mountain'; and Nasser Al Dhaheri, author of 'Wearing salt and his palms are ash'. On the sidelines of the event, SBA organised a special book signing ceremony for the translated titles, underscoring the authority's commitment to deepening cultural exchange and strengthening the international presence of Emirati literature. Showcasing Sharjah's publishing initiatives During its participation, SBA highlighted several of its leading initiatives in publishing and knowledge exchange. These include the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, and the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone. The authority also introduced the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur), an initiative designed to support publishing industries in emerging markets, and the Sharjah Literary Agency, which works to protect the rights of Arab authors and publishers while expanding their international presence. The authority has also drawn attention to the role of Sharjah Public Libraries, one of the region's oldest cultural institutions, which has been promoting knowledge for more than a century. Publishers have been briefed on the specialist international conferences hosted annually in the emirate, including the Sharjah Publishers Conference, the Sharjah International Library Conference, the Booksellers Conference and the Sharjah Animation Conference. The Sharjah pavilion also hosted the PublisHer initiative, the global platform founded by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi to champion the role of women in publishing and create meaningful opportunities for female publishers to connect, collaborate and exchange knowledge. The pavilion also showcased a curated selection of titles from Al Qasimi Publications, alongside a diverse range of works from the Department of Culture that highlight the depth and richness of Sharjah's cultural landscape. First held in 1983, the Rio International Book Fair has grown into Brazil's largest literary festival. Organised by the National Union of Book Publishers (SNEL) in collaboration with major publishing houses, the fair attracts hundreds of writers and more than 600,000 visitors each year, serving as a key platform for cultural exchange and the sharing of ideas.


Al Etihad
13 hours ago
- Al Etihad
TRENDS hosts symposium exploring prospects for China-Middle East relations
20 June 2025 10:45 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) TRENDS Research & Advisory, through its Virtual Office in China, kicked off its participation in the 31st edition of the Beijing International Book Fair 2025 by organising a research symposium titled 'Prospects for China–Middle East Relations in Light of Global Transformations', held at the centre's booth at the China National Convention in the seminar—moderated by Farida Bai Yi Nan, Head of the Arabic Language Department at China Today magazine—discussed the role of the Belt and Road Initiative in enhancing Arab–Chinese economic integration, the opportunities and domains of cultural and educational cooperation between China and Arab countries, China's position on key Middle Eastern issues, and how Chinese intellectual elites perceive partnerships with Gulf and Arab Jiyuan, a researcher at the Centre for Arab Studies at Zhejiang International Studies University, emphasised that cultural cooperation is a vital component in China–Arab relations. She noted that the exchange of knowledge and culture between China and Arab nations has reached a solid level. For example, over 48 universities in China teach the Arabic language, and enthusiasm for learning Chinese is rising across the Arab world. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have both incorporated Chinese into their national education curricula, and there are currently more than 20 Confucius Institutes across the Middle Al Shehhi, Senior Researcher and Deputy Head of the Scientific Research Sector at TRENDS, stated that China–Arab relations represent a unique model of civilisational interaction, merging the authenticity of tradition with future aspirations for prosperity. What unites Arab nations and China, he said, is a shared vision for a prosperous future that does not come at the expense of history or cultural Shehhi added that recent years have witnessed significant developments in bilateral relations—not only in trade but also in deep cultural and educational cooperation, which serves as the cornerstone of building bridges of mutual understanding between pointed out that it is impossible to speak of Sino–Arab cooperation without mentioning the UAE model, as the UAE is not only China's top trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa, but also the most advanced in cultural collaboration. The UAE has announced investments totaling $10 billion in joint cultural and educational projects with China over the next ten Yuxin, a researcher at the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, explained that both the UAE and China are committed to playing positive roles in achieving peace and defusing regional and global conflicts—especially in the Middle East, a region of central importance to the entire world. Yang added that China is the top trading partner of the UAE, while the UAE is the largest market for Chinese exports and a key investment destination for China in the Middle East. In recent years, cooperation in renewable energy, photovoltaic power plants, and wind energy has witnessed significant growth. The UAE is also the primary destination for Chinese tourists in the region, with more than one million tourists last year, alongside over 100 Chinese schools in the UAE—further enhancing educational and cultural exchange.


Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Public Finance Award hosts Public Debt Management Forum
The forum, titled "Managing Public Debt in a Changing World – Sustainable Strategies to Address Global Economic Challenges," aimed to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices in the field of public finance among participating countries. This initiative seeks to strengthen the ability of these nations to tackle contemporary financial challenges. The forum featured a distinguished group of experts and officials who discussed the latest trends in public finance and highlighted government success stories in managing public debt, thereby fostering collaboration among nations to overcome financial challenges and enhance government financial performance. The event was attended by His Excellency Waleed Al Sayegh, Director General of Sharjah Finance Department (SFD) and Member of the Board of Trustees; His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Secretary-General of the Award and Director of the Sharjah Finance Department; His Excellency Dr Nasser Al-Hatlan Al-Qahtani, Director General of the Arab Organisation for Administrative Development – League of Arab States, alongside ministers, government officials, and numerous speakers and participants from Turkey, the host country, as well as representatives from ministries of finance, public debt departments, banks, financial organizations, and international experts from Arab and other countries involved in the forum and the award. A platform for excellence In his keynote address, His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Secretary-General of the Award and Director of the Sharjah Finance Department, emphasized the importance of fostering Arab cooperation in public finance in light of the increasing global economic challenges. He stated that the forum served as an ideal platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices between Arab nations and sharing success stories in managing public debt and achieving financial leadership. His Excellency expressed his delight at the forum's success, noting that reviewing government success stories in managing public debt reflects the commitment to developing government financial performance and adapting to rapid economic changes. This contributes to enhancing transparency and efficiency in managing financial resources. He added, 'The Sharjah Public Finance Award, by recognizing distinguished efforts, represents an incentive for governmental bodies and individuals in the Arab world to achieve the highest standards of excellence in public finance, aligning with the sustainable development goals and developing financial strategies.' He also highlighted that the award provides an opportunity to honor efforts that elevate government financial work and promote higher levels of transparency and professionalism. The award will inspire both individuals and institutions in the UAE and the Arab world to achieve greater success and excellence in public finance, contributing to comprehensive development and economic prosperity. Furthermore, it will encourage many countries participating in the forum to strive for excellence in their financial institutions, fostering sustainable development goals and innovative solutions to tackle public debt challenges in an evolving global environment. Strengthening cooperation for a sustainable financial future His Excellency Dr Nasser Al Hatlan Al Qahtani, Director General of ARADO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, emphasized that the forum addresses multiple economic challenges faced by countries, especially those in need of continuous support. He noted that the Sharjah Public Finance Award and its partnership with the Arab Organization for Administrative Development exemplifies a model for achieving excellence in public finance to confront these challenges. The forum aims to improve government financial performance and support national economies through a financial environment characterized by efficiency and sustainability. Dr Al-Hatlan Al-Qahtani expressed, 'We look forward to continuing this forum as a platform for encouraging innovation and excellence in public finance and strengthening financial cooperation between Arab countries and participating nations. This collaboration will help realize the financial aspirations of governments and their developmental goals.' He also explained the organization's role in managing various Arab awards and its capacity-building and developmental role in organizing events and activities that contribute to enhancing government work across Arab countries. Dr Al-Hatlan affirmed that these financial events will continue on the sidelines of the Award, stimulating participants to contribute positively to developing government financial work in the Arab world. Forum sessions The forum's activities began with an introduction to the Sharjah Public Finance Award and opening remarks. This was followed by the forum's main session, which featured speeches by His Excellency Yasser Sobhi, Deputy Minister of Finance of Egypt; His Excellency Dr Mahmoud Mohieddin, Special Envoy of the UN on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; His Excellency Dr Mohamed Maait, Executive Director and Representative of the Arab and Maldives Group at the IMF; and Dr Abdullah Khaled bin Rabian, Financial and Economic Consultant from Saudi Arabia. The speakers discussed advanced strategies for managing public debt and the factors impacting sustainability in light of the changing economic landscape, offering practical solutions for successful public debt management. The session was moderated by Dr Nasser Al-Hatlan Al-Qahtani. The forum's program also featured discussions on successful public debt management projects by some Arab governments and Sharjah, along with dealing with the economic challenges of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states. Several key topics were covered, addressing challenges related to geopolitical shifts, the return of nationalism, trade wars, inflation, and chronic debt. A number of experts, specialists, and researchers presented papers on public debt management and public finance, and Dr Hassan Diab delivered the forum's concluding statement.