Sharjah’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) announced “Al-Dhaid Date festival” is now an annual event, as it described the event as one of the most significant in terms of reinforcing the role of heritage in creating an honorable and promising future for the central region of the UAE.
The remarks were made during a ceremony held in the Cultural centre in Al-Dhaid town on Wednesday, where sponsors and organizers of the festival were honored, after taking part in the festival that was organized by the Chamber last July. 
Praising the festival as a success, HE Abdullah Al Owais, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), said that the previous summer event saw the cooperation of the municipalities of the central region in the UAE. He also added that Chamber’s decision to make the festival an annual prominent event came in response to the public desire in doing so.
Furthermore, Al Owais also said that the chamber is keen on developing the activities of the annual festival, as he welcomed any support from the Chambers’ partners in the public and private sectors. 
Chairman of SCCI also said the Chamber, whose doors remain open to the public, will continue to launch innovative initiatives, aimed at enhancing the business environment in all the cities of the UAE.
Also, Al Owais said such an endeavor ensures cultural development that celebrates heritage for generations to come, adding that the event is also to preserve the heritage and ancient history of the UAE. This, according to Al Owais, can take place by contributing to the revitalization of the economic life in the central region of Sharjah, most notably in town of Al-Dhaid. 
HE continued, “On July 2016, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) took the initiative to organize the“Al-Dhaid Date Festival”, on the basis of enhancingthe legacy, culture and history of the UAE”,
Moreover, Al Owais also said that the festival is a real opportunity for farmers to communicate and share their experiences, as well as allow farmers to broaden their horizons by their partnership with the business community.
SCCI’s Chairman also thanked all those who contributed in the success of the festival, most notably federal and local government agencies led by The Ministry of climate change and environment. 
He also stated that the presence of HEDr. Thani Bin Ahmed Zouaydi, Climate change and environment minister, in the opening ceremony of the first edition of the festival represented the innovative vision of the country’s leadership, that according to Al Owais is keen to support economic and investment activity in the UAE.
Al Owais also expressed his gratitude to what he described as “strategic partners, backers and sponsors of the chamber”, noting that the Chamber is looking forward to further cooperation and support of the business community in the upcoming session of the festival.
Voicing his concern on the need to preserve the country’s heritage, Al Owais also said that more effort is needed to promote farmers across the country, in order to encourage them to increase production and quality, which will lead to the development of the national food industry in a sustainable manner to the highest international standards.
At the beginning of the ceremony, a documentary film featuring the events of the first edition of the festival was screened, prepared by the Department of Corporate Communications and Public Relations at the Chamber.

During the event, SCCI honoured all strategic and participating partners