Sharjah24 : The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), represented by the Public Relations and Social Responsibility Department, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Emirates Creative Association, with the aim of enhancing cooperation and exchanging knowledge and experiences, as well as implementing and embracing innovative projects that help elevate individual and institutional performance, in line with the goals and strategies of the UAE government for innovation and creativity and the objectives of the next fifty years.

The MoU was signed at the SCCI premise by Sheikh Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Creative Association, and Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, in the presence of Dr. Faisal Al Hammadi, Vice President of the Association, Hajar Al Issa, Board Member of the Association,  Muhammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of the SCCI and a number of officials from both sides.

According to the MoU, the two sides will exchange studies, co-organize innovation-related community activities and events, and coordinate in the field of advisory services related to training, development, entrepreneurship and management of entrepreneurial projects.

The two sides also agreed to develop methods for systematic research, sponsoring and organizing conferences, seminars and workshops for the best and latest global practices in creativity and innovation, supporting and empowering national talents.

They also agreed to launch an action plan to implement joint projects in the fields of creativity and innovation, especially with regard to the annual creativity and innovation exhibition, set to take place at the SCCI headquarters, under the theme "The Fifty Towards Creativity and Innovation"
"The signing of the memorandum aims to spread the culture of creativity among all members of society and to enhance the values of innovation in the local business community," said Sheikh Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi. "Our collaboration with the SCCI would help us achieve our objectives of supporting, nurturing and encouraging talents and creative minds and providing an umbrella that enables them to show their creativity.

He added that such partnership would stimulate the creative side of the private sector in Sharjah, especially SME owners to develop their projects in line with the latest global trends.

"The MoU falls within our commitment to supporting entrepreneurial projects and developing professional performance among SCCI members," said Abdullah Sultan Al Owais. "This is achieved by instilling the concept of creativity within our institutional mechanisms of action and encouraging the private sector to adopt the innovation approach as a basis for the development, in line with the vision of the wise leadership that attaches utmost importance to innovation as a key pillar for progress and comprehensive and sustainable development.