The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), a government body that seeks to attract foreign investment into the Emirate of Sharjah, completed on 19 September 2019, a week-long mission organized by the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council to Pittsburgh and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.

The mission was led by H.E. Marwan Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of Shurooq, and included representatives from Sharjah FDI Office, Sharjah Research, Technology & Innovation Park, and the University of Sharjah.

During this mission, which ran from the 15th through the 19th of September, participants highlighted the opportunities and significant benefits available to companies operating in the Emirate of Sharjah, including in key sectors such as high tech, life sciences, and education. The delegates also met with state and local officials, industry associations, and businesses to explore potential partnerships with Pittsburgh and Raleigh-Durham area organizations.

Commenting on the importance of the delegation, H.E. Marwan Al Sarkal said, “Shurooq is delighted to be participating in this mission, which shows Sharjah’s eagerness to build ties with the U.S. The mission is in line with our efforts to establish collaborations and partnerships with international investors in order to enable them to expand and grow their business in Sharjah.”

From left to right: Danny Sebright, Mr. Mark Nolan of Carnegie Mellon,  H.E. Mohammad Almusharrakh of Invest in Sharjah, Dr. Amina Almarzouqi of the University of Sharjah, Rebecca Doerge of Carnegie Mellon,  H.E. Marwan Al Sarkal of Shurooq, H.E. Hussain Al Mahmoudi of SRTIP, Mr. Edward Dunlea of Carnegie Mellon, Mr. Marwan Alichla of Invest in Sharjah, and Simin Curtis of AMEI

The visit to Pittsburgh was organized in partnership with the American Middle East Institute (AMEI), an organization focused on building business, educational, and cultural ties between the United States and the Middle East. Along with the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, AMEI co-hosted a dinner with local government officials and industry leaders that allowed the delegation to directly engage with key stakeholders from various sectors.

During the visit, delegates met with Pittsburgh-based organizations including:

• Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon Institute: A leader in the field of computer science.
• Coal Hill Ventures: A robotics-focused early stage venture capital fund and accelerator.
• Agility Robotics: A startup commercializing research on bipedal locomotion.
• RoBotany: A startup applying automated robotics and software analytics to indoor agriculture.
• University of Pittsburgh: A leading state research university.
• Energy Innovation Center: A nonprofit leading Pittsburgh’s support for clean energy.

The delegation also held a luncheon co-hosted with the law firm K&L Gates, attended by The Honorable Bill Peduto, Mayor of Pittsburgh, who delivered opening remarks. During the luncheon, public and private-sector executives were provided with the opportunity to hear directly from the delegation about the advantages to doing business in Sharjah, including its ease of doing business and competitive incentives for international investors.

From left to right, Danny Sebright, Tracy Lawless of K&L Gates LLC, H.E. Mohammad Almusharrakh of Invest in Sharjah, H.E. Hussain Al Mahmoudi of SRTIP, Mayor  of Pittsburgh Bill Peduto,H.E. Marwan Al Sarkal of Shurooq, Dr. Amina Almarzouqi of the University of Sharjah, Mr. Marwan Alichla of Invest in Sharjah, and Simin Curtis of AMEI

After a highly successful trip to Pittsburgh, the delegation traveled to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina to meet local government and business leaders. In North Carolina, the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council partnered with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, an organization that recruits, supports, and helps business in North Carolina.

During the visit, delegates met with key Raleigh-Durham organizations including:

• IBM: The world’s largest IT and consulting services company, operating in over 170 countries.
• Research Triangle Park: The largest research park in the United States.
• SAS Institute: A global developer of analytics software.
• SignalPath: A healthcare startup and platform for clinical research management and execution.
• The Nonwovens Institute: An innovative global partnership in the field of engineered fabrics.
• Trilliant: A communications platform enabling utilities and cities to deploy software applications.

From left to right: Mr. Marwan Alichla of Invest in Sharjah, Lee Ann Dietz of SAS, Dr. Steve Bennett of SAS, H.E. Marwan Al Sarkal of Shurooq, Dr. Amina Almarzouqi of the University of Sharjah, H.E. Hussain Al Mahmoudi of SRTIP, H.E. Mohammad Almusharrakh of Invest in Sharjah, and Danny Sebright

In addition, the delegation held a business seminar at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, a biotechnology research hub, which was attended by  leaders of the local business community.

Before leaving North Carolina, the delegates attended a private dinner with key local business and policy stakeholders, including Michael Regan, North Carolina Secretary of Environmental Quality, who took the opportunity to highlight the many synergies between North Carolina and Sharjah’s interest in the green economy.