Improving Sharjah’s business links with Macedonia was the topic of discussion at a recent roundtable meeting hosted by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq.

The event, one in a series of meetings being undertaken by the authority throughout the year, explored initiatives that would lead to mutual benefits for countries that have allied themselves to Sharjah and its plans for economic growth.

Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, who chaired the authority at the meeting, discussed bilateral investment opportunities with the Macedonian government delegation as part of Shurooq’s efforts to enhance Sharjah’s economic and investment co-operation with countries from across the globe.

Sasho Tashevski, Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to the UAE, chaired the Macedonian delegation, which also included the founders of Future Focus Ltd. for training in business studies, fitness and health, and social care.

He praised Sharjah’s great economic progress and spoke of the efficiency of Shurooq’s methods, which have transformed Sharjah into an FDI attraction and boosted its contribution in the region’s trade and economy arena.

Speaking on behalf of Shurooq, Marwan Al Sarkal said, "The meeting with the Macedonian delegation was extremely fruitful and enabled us to exchange ideas about the best possible ways to enhance the economic relations between the Emirate of Sharjah and Macedonia, in conjunction with Sharjah’s policy of economic diversification and investment transparency. We were also able to discuss the steps that Sharjah is taking to promote and increase its FDI attractiveness."

"Macedonia’s economic development has excelled in many sectors such as agriculture, technology and renewal energy. These sectors open great possibilities for collaboration and integration with the opportunities, facilities and investment in Sharjah’s markets," he added.

The meeting is the latest step in Sharjah and Macedonia’s growing relationship. In December 2015, Macedonia’s Minister of Culture, Elizabeta Kanceska–Milevska, met with Abdulaziz Al-Muslim, Director of the Institute of Cultural Heritage of the Emirate Sharjah, to discuss ways to promote heritage awareness in their respective countries.