Latest news with #SCCI
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
SCCI finalizes preparations for 4th Mango Festival 2025
Organized by SCCI in collaboration with the Municipal Council of Khorfakkan and Khorfakkan City Municipality, the festival features extensive participation from local farmers, agricultural companies, and productive families from across the UAE. Held under the theme "Mango: Our Fruit, Our Wealth', this year's festival aims to promote the Eastern Region as a distinguished agri-tourism destination. It seeks to support the local economy by empowering farmers and productive families and enhancing the quality and sustainability of domestic agricultural products. The festival also contributes to preserving the UAE's rich cultural heritage and advancing the goals of the National Food Security Strategy 2051. The 3-day extravaganza will include a display of more than 150 premium local mango varieties. It will also feature a series of specialized competitions with valuable prizes, in addition to cultural and heritage-themed activities. A range of educational programs will be held to improve local agricultural output and facilitate the exchange of expertise between farmers and industry professionals. In his remarks, Khalil Al Mansouri, Director of Government Relations at SCCI, said that the Mango Festival is a strategic addition to the Chamber's portfolio of heritage and agricultural events in the Eastern Region. It supports agriculture as a key economic pillar, reinforcing its contribution to food security and local economic growth. He emphasized that the festival not only offers a comprehensive platform to showcase the quality and diversity of local produce but also fosters partnerships between farmers, traders, and agribusinesses, thereby promoting the emirate's sustainable development goals. Among key highlights of this year's edition is the 'Mango Mazayna' Competition (a mango beauty contest) which is set to be held on the festival's first day. Participants must submit locally grown mangoes, sourced from their own farms or home gardens, along with proof of property ownership. Each entry must include only one mango variety, free of defects and infections, with a consistent and suitable size, packed in cardboard boxes weighing no less than 4 kg. All winning entries will undergo on-site inspection by the judging panel. On the second day, the festival will feature a competition for the most beautifully arranged mango basket 'Best Mango Basket" for families. Entries must be handmade, modestly decorated, and contain at least 4 kg of mangoes in a single basket. Only one basket per family is allowed. The final day of the festival will feature the 'Best Agriculture-themed Video' contest, designed for children aged 7 to 12. Each child must submit one video not exceeding one minute, along with a copy of the UAE ID. Only one entry per child is permitted. The Organizing Committee of the Mango Festival has set June 27 as the deadline for submissions. Entries must be sent via WhatsApp, accompanied by a copy of the child's ID, to the following number: 0566240434. Other highlights include the 'Best Farmer's Booth' competition which will run across all days of the festival. Displayed produce must be locally sourced and each booth must feature no fewer than five mango varieties. Participants must be present at their booth for the duration of the event. The evaluation will be based on a public voting survey. These competitions aim to promote excellence and innovation among farmers, enhance marketing techniques, and support a more engaging visitor experience, while promoting broader awareness of the agricultural sector's value. Open to the public daily from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm, the festival will offer a rich program of interactive activities and live cultural performances. Emirati folk groups will present traditional shows that reflect the local cultural heritage. Daily raffles with a variety of prizes will be also held, further enhancing visitor engagement and creating a vibrant festival atmosphere. Additionally, the Mango festival 2025 will host a series of educational workshops held in collaboration with agricultural experts, offering simplified yet in-depth insights into mango tree care and modern techniques in irrigation, fertilization, pruning, and pest control. These sessions aim to raise awareness among visitors and farmers alike, encouraging the adoption of smart agriculture practices to improve both production efficiency and quality. The festival will also feature a dedicated family activity zone, where visitors of all ages can take part in educational and hands-on experiences tailored especially for children.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Chamber finalizes preparations for 4th Mango Festival 2025
Sharjah: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has announced that it is all set to launch the fourth edition of the Mango Festival 2025 at Expo Khor Fakkan from June 27 to 29, with all necessary preparations in place. Organized by SCCI in collaboration with the Municipal Council of Khor Fakkan and Khor Fakkan City Municipality, the festival features extensive participation from local farmers, agricultural companies, and productive families from across the UAE. Held under the theme "Mango: Our Fruit, Our Wealth', this year's festival aims to promote the Eastern Region as a distinguished agri-tourism destination. It seeks to support the local economy by empowering farmers and productive families and enhancing the quality and sustainability of domestic agricultural products. The festival also contributes to preserving the UAE's rich cultural heritage and advancing the goals of the National Food Security Strategy 2051. The 3-day extravaganza will include a display of more than 150 premium local mango varieties. It will also feature a series of specialized competitions with valuable prizes, in addition to cultural and heritage-themed activities. A range of educational programs will be held to improve local agricultural output and facilitate the exchange of expertise between farmers and industry professionals. In his remarks, Khalil Al Mansouri, Director of Government Relations at SCCI, said that the Mango Festival is a strategic addition to the Chamber's portfolio of heritage and agricultural events in the Eastern Region. It supports agriculture as a key economic pillar, reinforcing its contribution to food security and local economic growth. He emphasized that the festival not only offers a comprehensive platform to showcase the quality and diversity of local produce but also fosters partnerships between farmers, traders, and agribusinesses, thereby promoting the emirate's sustainable development goals. Among key highlights of this year's edition is the 'Mango Mazayna' Competition (a mango beauty contest) which is set to be held on the festival's first day. Participants must submit locally grown mangoes, sourced from their own farms or home gardens, along with proof of property ownership. Each entry must include only one mango variety, free of defects and infections, with a consistent and suitable size, packed in cardboard boxes weighing no less than 4 kg. All winning entries will undergo on-site inspection by the judging panel. On the second day, the festival will feature a competition for the most beautifully arranged mango basket 'Best Mango Basket" for families. Entries must be handmade, modestly decorated, and contain at least 4 kg of mangoes in a single basket. Only one basket per family is allowed. The final day of the festival will feature the 'Best Agriculture-themed Video' contest, designed for children aged 7 to 12. Each child must submit one video not exceeding one minute, along with a copy of the UAE ID. Only one entry per child is permitted. The Organizing Committee of the Mango Festival has set June 27 as the deadline for submissions. Entries must be sent via WhatsApp, accompanied by a copy of the child's ID, to the following number: 0566240434. Other highlights include the 'Best Farmer's Booth' competition which will run across all days of the festival. Displayed produce must be locally sourced and each booth must feature no fewer than five mango varieties. Participants must be present at their booth for the duration of the event. The evaluation will be based on a public voting survey. These competitions aim to promote excellence and innovation among farmers, enhance marketing techniques, and support a more engaging visitor experience, while promoting broader awareness of the agricultural sector's value. Open to the public daily from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm, the festival will offer a rich program of interactive activities and live cultural performances. Emirati folk groups will present traditional shows that reflect the local cultural heritage. Daily raffles with a variety of prizes will be also held, further enhancing visitor engagement and creating a vibrant festival atmosphere. Additionally, the Mango festival 2025 will host a series of educational workshops held in collaboration with agricultural experts, offering simplified yet in-depth insights into mango tree care and modern techniques in irrigation, fertilization, pruning, and pest control. These sessions aim to raise awareness among visitors and farmers alike, encouraging the adoption of smart agriculture practices to improve both production efficiency and quality. The festival will also feature a dedicated family activity zone, where visitors of all ages can take part in educational and hands-on experiences tailored especially for children. For further information, please contact: Ali Elgendy Misbar Communications ali@ Ahmad Aldwairi Misbar Communications
Zawya
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Middle East Rubber and Tyre Expo 2025 kicks off at Expo Centre Sharjah with over 80 exhibitors
Sharjah, The Middle East Rubber and Tyre Expo (MRTE 2025) kicked off today, Tuesday, at Expo Centre Sharjah, and will run until June 19. Launched with support from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and organized by TechnoBiz, the exhibition features the participation of over 80 exhibitors representing major local and global tyre manufacturing companies. The exhibition was officially inaugurated by H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI and Expo Centre Sharjah. The opening was attended by H.E Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah; Sultan Shattaf, Commercial Director of Expo Centre Sharjah; and Peram Prasada Rao, CEO of TechnoBiz, along with representatives from participating companies. Following the inauguration, the attendees toured the exhibition diverse pavilions, where they explored a wide range of high-quality tyre products, polymer and rubber solutions, and state-of-the-art tyre manufacturing technologies, equipment, and technical services. This year's edition of the Middle East Rubber and Tyre Expo marks the largest iteration to date, held concurrent with four industry events: the Middle East RotoMoulding Trade Expo, Middle East Polymer & Cable Expo, Middle East Compound & Extrusion Expo 2025 (MCEE 2025), and Middle East Polymer Week 2025. These events collectively provide an integrated platform for fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and gaining insight into the accelerating developments across the polymer value chain. In his remarks, H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais affirmed Sharjah Chamber's commitment to supporting events that reinforce the emirate's position as a leading economic and industrial hub. 'These events are designed to offer productive platforms for knowledge and expertise exchange, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of local enterprises in regional and global markets, fostering strategic business partnerships, and attracting high-value investments that advance the industrial economic landscape,' he said. H.E Saif Mohammed Al Midfa stated that Expo Centre Sharjah continues to strengthen its position as a premier destination for hosting specialized exhibitions that serve critical economic sectors in both domestic and regional markets. He noted that the record scale of this year's edition, measured by exhibitor count, company profile, and the range of technologies presented, reflects the strong confidence global and local firms place in Expo Sharjah as a strategic platform for deal-making, fostering partnerships, and exploring the latest innovations in the manufacturing, rubber, tire, and polymer industries. For his part, Peram Prasada Rao said that MRTE 2025 is not merely a trade exhibition, but a platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative networking, bringing together leading minds and technologies in the polymer industry. 'The Middle East Polymer Week is a vital initiative. It empowers professionals with the latest knowledge and connects them with global experts. Events like this are essential for driving sustainable growth and innovation in the rubber and tire industry,' he added. A major highlight of this year's edition of Middle East Rubber and Tyre Expo is the Sri Lanka Rubber and Tyre Pavilion, supported by the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka. Featuring 12 leading Sri Lankan manufacturers, the pavilion offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of high-quality rubber and tyre products, advanced technical solutions, and specialized consulting services aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the rubber and plastics sector. This reinforces the exhibition's status as a key regional platform for industrial innovation and development. It also offers visitors valuable opportunities to establish new trade relationships with South Asian partners, particularly as Sri Lanka's rubber exports to the UAE reached approximately USD 6.92 million in 2024. The exhibition, open to visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., also features the Middle East Polymer Week, a specialized program offering technical training sessions, expert presentations, and professional development opportunities.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Chamber announces 9th Al Dhaid Date Festival to kick off on July 23
Sharjah: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) announced the agenda and key features of the 9th edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival, which will take place from July 23 to 27 at Expo Al Dhaid. The festival will feature extensive participation from palm farmers and date producers from across the UAE. The announcement was made during a press conference held today (Tuesday) at Expo Al Dhaid, where remarks were delivered by HE Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; HE Saeed bin Fadel Al Ketbi, Director of Al Wusta TV Channel; Mohammed Musabeh Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of Al Dhaid Date Festival, and Rashid Mohair Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Festival's Screening and Evaluation Committee. Also present were HE Dr. Muhammad Abdullah bin Huwaiden, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Al-Dhaid City; and HE Rashid Abdullah Mahyan, Chairman of Central Region Parents Council (CRPC) in Sharjah and strategic partner of the 'Bisharat Al-Qaydh' competition', in addition to several officials and representatives from local media outlets. During the press conference, the top three winners of the inaugural 'Bisharat Al-Qaydh' competition, an initiative launched by the Sharjah Chamber as part of its lead-up to the festival, were honored. Introduced to promote excellence in early date cultivation, the competition aims to reward pioneering farmers committed to cultivating premium early-season dates and to mark the symbolic start of the summer harvest season. It attracted significant participation from local farmers, demonstrating a growing awareness of the value of excellence and innovation in palm agriculture. Speaking at the press conference, HE Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi said that the Al Dhaid Date Festival has evolved into a prominent cultural and economic platform serving palm cultivators nationwide. He noted that the festival's continued success over nine consecutive years has established it as a comprehensive framework for supporting hundreds of farmers and encouraging the adoption of best practices to produce premium-quality dates while preserving the UAE's rich agricultural heritage. For his part, HE Saeed bin Fadel Al Ketbi pointed to the strategic depth of the partnership established between Al Wusta Channel and the Al Dhaid Date Festival. He affirmed that the channel is committed to delivering integrated media and promotional support, positioning the festival as a key cultural and economic event in Al Dhaid, and a dynamic vehicle for promoting local identity and preserving the region's agricultural heritage. Mohammed Musabeh Al Tunaiji stated that Al Dhaid Date Festival stands as a significant agricultural and trade event in Sharjah, promoting the emirate's broader cultural and economic landscape. He added that the festival serves as a recurring forum that celebrates the palm tree and exemplifies Sharjah's and the UAE's continued investment in agriculture, rural development, and heritage conservation. Meanwhile, Rashid Mohair Al Ketbi pointed out that the festival hosts a diverse selection of competitions, drawing significant interest from participating farmers. These include specialized date contests that reflect farmers' growing interest in new date varieties. He also noted the continuation of a dedicated children's competition, with the 'Kids' Khareef Dates Beauty Contest' gaining special attention since its introduction in the previous edition, aimed at engaging younger generations in this agricultural heritage. He also pinpointed the importance of the festival's competitions dedicated to children, particularly the 'Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty' Contest, which was debuted in last year's edition and gained special attention. The competition is designed to deepen the younger generation's engagement with the UAE's cultural heritage and encourage them to promote the preservation and cultivation of date palm trees. The festival hosts a series of competitive events aimed at promoting agricultural excellence, with attractive prizes allocated to encourage farmer participation. Categories include prominent date varieties like Khneizi, Khalas, and Shishi, in addition to elite divisions: the 'General Dhaid Elite Dates' and the 'Northern Emirates Dhaid Elite Dates'. The agenda further features specialized competitions for local lemons and red figs, alongside a homegrown date competition (only for women) and a contest for Al-Kharaif date variety, dedicated to children. The festival will commence on July 23 with the 'Local Lemon Beauty' and 'Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty' Contests, to be followed by the 'Khneizi Dates Beauty Contest' on July 24 and 'Al-Khalas Dates Beauty Contest' on Friday, July 25. On Saturday, July 26, the festival will host the 'Shishi Dates' competition, while the last day (Sunday, July 27) will feature both the 'General Dhaid Elite Dates' and the 'Northern Emirates Dhaid Elite Dates' competitions. The Organising Committee of the Al Dhaid Date Festival has set a few general conditions and specific terms for participation in the festival's competitions. These include using locally produced dates for the 2025 season that are only grown in the participants' own farms. Applicants must also provide specific documents proving ownership of agricultural land when they register. As part of the specific standards and criteria set for the dates' competitions, participants must present dates that are at an optimal ripeness stage. The dates should be free from insect infestations, dead insects, or any apparent defects, weigh 4kg, and be presented in high-quality baskets. Contestants cannot take part in more than two categories of dates' Individual Varieties in the festival's competitions, but they are entitled to participate in 'Elite Date' categories. Participants must formally pledge compliance, and all judging decisions are final. On-site inspections may be carried out, and entries, once submitted, cannot be reclaimed. The General Dhaid Elite Dates', open to all participants, requires the submission of five distinct varieties, each weighing 3 kilograms, but the 'Northern Emirates Dhaid Elite Dates' competitions require only four varieties, with 4 kilograms per entry. Elite entries must be entirely separate from those submitted in individual categories. As for the local lemon and red fig competitions, the produce must be of local origin, grown on the participant's farm or home garden, and submitted in quantities of 8 kilograms for lemons and 3 kilograms for figs. The Homegrown Dates Competition is limited to women aged 25 and above from the Northern Emirates. Participants must submit 4 kilograms of dates (Khneizi, Khalas, or Sheishi varieties) harvested exclusively from their home gardens. Verification of winning entries is conducted through on-site visits. The 'Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty' Contest is designated for children between 7 and 15 years old from Sharjah's Central Region. Each participant is required to submit no less than 3 kilograms of Kharayef dates. For further information, please contact: Ali Elgendy Misbar Communications ali@ Ahmad Aldwairi Misbar Communications
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's exporters urge PM to save value-added industry, seek FTR removal, EFS restoration
Pakistan's $11 billion value-added export-oriented industry—contributing nearly one-third of the country's total exports—has issued a strong SOS appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, warning that recent budgetary measures are set to derail the export-oriented sectors at a critical time. In a joint statement, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), in collaboration with the top export-oriented associations including PHMA, SIMAP, PSGMEA, PGMEA, PLGMEA, PCSUMEA and Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), demanded the immediate revival of the Final Tax Regime (FTR) and restoration of the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) to its original structure. The appeal was endorsed by industry stalwarts including PRGMEA Chairman Dr Muhammad Ayyaz Uddin and former Central Chairman Sohail A. Sheikh, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Ikram ul Haq, PSGMEA Chairman Khawaja Masud Akhtar—whose company's footballs are used in FIFA World Cup tournaments — SIMAP Chairman Zeeshan Tariq, PLGMEA Chairman Syed Ahtisham Mazhar, PHMA Chairman Abdul Hameed and former chairman Khawaja Mushraf, PGMEA Chairman Annas Raheel Barlas, PCSUMEA Chairman Muhammad Jamal Bhutta, Majid Bhutta, Ansar Aziz Puri, Sheikh Luqman Amin and other prominent exporters and business leaders. The associations expressed deep concern that despite the government's slogan of 'export-led growth,' the reality on the ground is opposite. They pointed out that in the entire budget speech, the finance minister uttered the word 'export' only once, and that too in a negative context while imposing duties on imported yarn under EFS. Addressing the prime minister, the association urged the premier to convene an emergency meeting with the leading export associations and the SCCI before the budget is passed. 'If this situation persists, Pakistan's most reliable foreign exchange-earning sector will suffer irreparable damage.' They stressed that in such a policy environment, the government's vision of taking the country's exports to $100 billion is 'simply not possible'. 'We're not asking subsidies, exemptions, or special treatment—just a level playing field to compete globally. Unfortunately, the current policies have drastically raised the cost of doing business and severely impacted the ease of doing business,' the export associations stated. They said that international buyers are actively seeking long-term clarity and stability in the EFS framework, as Pakistan stands at a strategic moment to attract business being diverted from China. The exporters further said that the abolition of FTR and the breakdown of EFS have created chaos in the industry. 'The FTR, which once offered a simple and predictable tax mechanism, has now been replaced by complex procedures, audits, and refund hurdles, particularly hurting small and medium-sized (SMEs) exporters. 'Meanwhile, the EFS has been bogged down by unnecessary conditions, limiting access to critical inputs and undermining export competitiveness. Business leaders emphasise that it is time for Pakistan to strategically move beyond cotton and adopt a more diversified, innovation-driven approach to value-added apparel exports,' it added.
