Latest news with #RashidbinSaqrAlQasimi
Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Business
- 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.
Sharjah 24
23-04-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
SFD Launches AI-Powered 'Shj3' Virtual Assistant
'Shj3' platform marks a major leap in the digital transformation of Sharjah's financial systems, aiming to provide secure, efficient, and user-friendly support and payment services for individuals and businesses through multiple 'Tahseel' channels—saving both time and effort for all users. The launch ceremony was held at the SFD's headquarters in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Finance Department, Huda Al Yassi, Director of the Financial Systems Department, along with SFD heads, specialists, and a number of staff members. His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi emphasised that the launch of 'Shj3' reflects the SFD's future-forward vision to build an intelligent financial environment powered by cutting-edge AI technologies. 'This initiative simplifies financial processes, reduces transaction time, and enhances transparency in government services. It reinforces Sharjah's position as a leading city in adopting smart, digital solutions and opens new horizons for improving the user journey while achieving seamless integration between financial systems and smart platforms to boost operational efficiency and service quality.' "Shj3": A name inspired by Sharjah's strategic identity His Excellency Sheikh Rashid further explained that the platform's name, 'Shj3', was carefully chosen to reflect Sharjah's digital identity: 'Shj' stands for Sharjah, and the number '3' symbolises the emirate's strategic economic and geographic dimensions. Sharjah hosts three major seaports and covers approximately 3.3% of the UAE's total area, underscoring its role as a key economic hub in the region. The name reinforces the Department's commitment to aligning smart services with institutional identity and real-world relevance. A transformative step in financial services Huda Al Yassi, Director of the Financial Systems Department, noted: 'The 'Shj3' platform represents a transformative step in the delivery of financial services. It offers a fully digital experience built on artificial intelligence and operational flexibility, tailored to meet the expectations of a wide range of users. This project reflects our strategic focus on strengthening digital infrastructure and employing technology to support sustainable development. Smart transformation is no longer optional—it is essential to enhancing performance and positioning Sharjah as a leader in financial innovation across the region.' Smart services for individuals and businesses 'Shj3' offers a broad spectrum of digital services that cater to individuals and businesses. For individuals, the platform enables account creation, refund requests, e-wallet top-ups, and transaction payments. For corporate users, services include 'Tahseel' card requests, contact detail updates, account creation, and streamlined payments—delivered through an intuitive and responsive user interface. Tailored services for the freight and logistics sector The platform also addresses the specific needs of the trucking and logistics sector, offering tailored services such as truck card requests, postpaid transaction options, driver access requests, wallet top-ups, refund management, and real-time transaction tracking. These services empower the sector with greater control over financial transactions and operational flexibility, all through a secure digital environment. 24/7 technical support 'Shj3' ensures uninterrupted technical assistance and advisory services through its virtual assistant. Users benefit from around-the-clock support for resolving technical issues, answering queries, and ensuring a smooth, reliable digital experience beyond financial transactions.
