A delegation from the National Media Council, NMC, in Sharjah and the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, SGMB, have discussed promoting their media cooperation and strengthening their joint communication, with the aim of supporting Sharjah’s local press and implementing the UAE’s visions and directives for the national media.

The discussion occurred during a recent coordination meeting at the headquarters of the SGMB, in the presence of Ahmed Salem Al Shaiba, Director of the NMC Office in Sharjah, Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of the SGMB, and several officials from the two authorities.

Al Shaiba appreciated the efforts of the SGMB and its important initiatives, which comply with the NMC’s media directives while stressing the council’s desire to promote co-operation and communication, to serve the interests of Sharjah.

He added that the future strategy of the NMC, led by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Director of National Media Council, NMC, includes promoting co-operation between all Council offices with relevant institutions in the nation’s emirates.

Al Shaiba stressed that the Council’s media content management and media licensing team had recently launched smart e-procedures, to save the time and efforts of its customers.

He also presented the working procedures of the Emirates News Agency, WAM, and its various departments while highlighting its recent significant developments, including the expansion of its news services and adding six additional languages to the Arabic and English among other updates, with the aim of promoting the position of the UAE media and conveying its messages around the world.

He also highlighted the role of the NMC’s office in Sharjah, which aims to co-operate with various local authorities and institutions, and desire of its regional office to cover the news events and initiatives taking place in Sharjah.

Allay said that the goals and programmes of the SGMB comply with the UAE’s media vision while promoting joint co-operation and exchanging experiences with the NMC. He also expressed his appreciation for the council’s efforts to support the national media, enhance their work, and convey the UAE’s messages to the entire world.

He added that the development of Sharjah’s media is vital for its advancement, as per the directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The plans and programmes of the SGMB also aim to build the capacity of UAE nationals and the media capabilities of the government sector, he further added.

Allay presented the SGMB’s various initiatives, including the International Forum for Government Communication, the International Photography Festival, 'Exposure', the Sharjah Government Communication Award, the Ramadan Councils, the Sharjah Journalism Club and Government Support Programmes, as well as other major local and international media events and initiatives organised by Sharjah. He also highlighted the bureau’s belief that the NMC should cover the news in Sharjah as part of its media programmes, as well as translating news coverage on local events into the new languages launched by WAM.

At the end of the meeting, Allay accompanied the NMC delegation on an introductory tour of the SGMB and briefed them about the tasks and achievements of its various departments.