The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has hosted a high-level business meeting with a senior delegation from the Kurdistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (K-FCCI), alongside representatives from the Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The discussions aimed to expand economic cooperation and reinforce investment ties between the UAE and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, while also exploring new frameworks to advance joint initiatives and strategic partnerships.
Expanding Bilateral Economic Platforms
The meeting was held during an official reception chaired by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Vice Chairman of the Federation of UAE Chambers and Chairman of SCCI. Senior Emirati officials including Humaid Mohammed bin Salem, Secretary-General of the Federation of UAE Chambers, and Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, were in attendance.
The visit also included participation from key Sharjah entities, notably Dr. Ahmed Saleh Al Echlah, Director of the Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre “Tahkeem”, and Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and the Business Sector at SCCI.
The Kurdistan delegation was led by Dr. Mohammed Shihab Mohammed Amin, Chairman of the Higher Supervisory Committee of K-FCCI. He was joined by senior officials including Gailan Haji Saeed, President of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Judge Shirwan Ibrahim Berdawood, Member of the Higher Supervisory Committee; and Shivan Abdulrahman Aziz, Secretary General of K-FCCI.
Strengthening Investment and Arbitration Cooperation
Welcoming the delegation, Al Owais highlighted Sharjah’s growing investment footprint in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, particularly in energy and gas, and noted that the region’s favourable business climate continues to attract UAE investors seeking wider economic opportunities.
Dr. Mohammed Shihab Mohammed Amin praised Sharjah’s development trajectory and emphasised the importance of studying the operational model of the Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre as a reference for enhancing dispute-resolution frameworks in the Kurdistan Region.
Dr. Ahmed Saleh Al Echlah provided an overview of “Tahkeem’s” advanced arbitration mechanisms, digital services, and competitive advantages, reinforcing Sharjah’s role as a regional hub for technology-driven legal and advisory support.
New Opportunities for Trade, Logistics, and Re-Exports
Both sides discussed expanding trade and investment flows, with a focus on logistics integration and high-growth sectors. The Kurdistan delegation outlined the region’s significance as a commercial gateway to Iraq, while Sharjah underscored its strong position as an industrial and logistics centre with extensive free-zone capabilities.
Discussions also explored opportunities to use Sharjah’s strategic location to facilitate the re-export of Kurdistan goods to international markets, supporting food security, business diversification, and value-added trade pathways for both economies.
