
SRTIP unveils flying car project
Fostering global innovation and investment
In a statement to Sharjah 24, Al Mahmoudi explained that the Park is working to integrate academic and economic sectors between Sharjah and the Netherlands through collaboration with Dutch universities, research centres, and leading companies. The goal is to incubate cutting-edge innovations and implement them practically. He emphasised that such meetings enhance engagement with local and international business communities, while also creating opportunities to attract global investors and innovators within the Park's ecosystem, which focuses on research, development and technological entrepreneurship.
He affirmed that Sharjah is steadily advancing its position as a regional hub for innovation and advanced technologies by supporting pioneering projects centred on sustainability and smart transformation. The Park offers an enabling environment that brings together top international talent and expertise, with world-class research facilities that contribute to developing and applying future-ready solutions for the benefit of society and the national economy alike.

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Gulf Today
15 hours ago
- Gulf Today
SRTIP stands as a national model for innovation: Sheikha Bodour
In a high-level meeting chaired by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) in its 4th session set the stage for the next phase of growth, building on past year's phenomenal achievements that have made it one of the region's fastest growth technology parks. The meeting, hosted at the iconic headquarters of BEEAH Group, brought together industry, academic, and government stakeholders committed to reinforcing Sharjah's position as a leading regional hub for innovation. Opening the session, Sheikha Bodour extended her gratitude to board members and stressed the importance of building robust partnerships across sectors. 'SRTIP stands as a national model for innovation, where the synergy between research, industry, and policy continues to unlock transformative opportunities. Our shared mission is to deliver impactful outcomes in sectors that matter most to the future of our society—healthcare, mobility, sustainability, and manufacturing,' she noted. SRTIP CEO Hussain Al Mahmoudi presented highlights of 2024, showcasing progress in major projects, business development, and further expansion. He outlined the outlook for 2025 with a renewed focus on infrastructure readiness, tenant growth, and attracting new innovation-driven enterprises. Al Mahmoudi said, 'With guidance from our board and support from our partners, SRTIP is entering an exciting phase of development—one that prioritizes performance, strategic land use, and sectoral innovation. Our commitment to national goals and global competitiveness is stronger than ever.' Master Planning and Sectoral Innovation in Focus: A detailed review of the Park's masterplan and leasing strategies was presented by senior members of the management team. Updates were shared on the progression of Phase 1 clusters, key land allocations for the SOTI initiative, and commercial partnerships like Base39. Sector-specific innovation efforts in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and mobility were spotlighted during dedicated sessions, including projections for business growth and key milestones. A roadmap for enhancing ecosystem dynamics through deeper academic engagement with institutions such as AUS and UOS, was presented, alongside policies to attract talent and incentivize innovation. Brand & Digital Transformation: The team also presented updates on brand visibility, digital transformation milestones, and SoiLab's role in driving innovation through prototyping and SME engagement. Internal transformation strategies, including HR development, were discussed as enablers of operational excellence. The board reviewed SRTIP's financial outlook through 2027, including budget projections for 2025. Audit insights were endorsed by the board, affirming the Park's financial and governance stability. The meeting concluded with an open discussion on next steps, followed by a tour of the 'Naseej: Threads of Hope' exhibition. With strong alignment between strategic planning and execution, SRTIP reaffirmed its role as a key driver of Sharjah's innovation economy. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Foundation to Support Pioneering Entrepreneurs (RUWAD), which is affiliated with the Sharjah Department of Economic Development, reported that its member projects had earned AED3,484,680 in government contracts across the UAE in 2024, a 23.9% increase from 2023. Acting Director Fatima Al Ali stated that this rise underscores RUWAD members' strong position as trusted providers to federal and local government agencies. It also demonstrates a growing trust in the quality of services and goods provided by Emirati entrepreneurs, reinforcing their position in national development and public-private collaborations. She stated that RUWAD is dedicated to increasing its members' competitiveness through focused training programmes, awareness workshops, and discussions on government procurement methods. Members are also urged to join approved supplier platforms and take part in digital tendering processes. Al Ali also stated that the foundation works with key authorities such as the Ministry of Finance and Sharjah's Central Finance Department to foster a conducive business environment. These collaborations enable increased participation in bids and provide additional incentives and opportunities for enterprises. In 2024, 46 RUWAD projects signed 318 contracts with 42 federal agencies. The services provided varied from hospitality and catering to facility management and office operations. Leading contracting bodies included the Sharjah Police Academy, Kalba Municipality, and the Districts Affairs Department. By the end of 2024, the number of RUWAD members registered as suppliers with Sharjah's Central Finance Department had grown to 129, up from 14 the previous year, representing a 250% increase. This extension allows more projects to benefit from government procurement privileges. RUWAD members also closed 22 mutual deals as part of the 'Tashbeek' initiative, which aims to develop entrepreneurial relationships while also boosting collaboration and service integration.


Arabian Post
4 days ago
- Arabian Post
Willem Blijdorp: Building a Global Business Empire
Willem Blijdorp initially set his sights on a career in tourism. From 1970 to 1975, he studied at the Hotel Management School in Maastricht, the Netherlands. However, upon graduation, he chose an unexpected path. He decided to become the organizer of the now-legendary 'Butterfahrten'. This marked the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey that continues to this day. The Butterfahrt Concept During a business trip to Germany, Blijdorp was struck by how popular Butterfahrten were among Dutch tourists. These day trips involved boarding a ship that quickly sailed beyond national waters. Once in international territory, passengers could shop duty-free to their heart's content. ADVERTISEMENT Sensing a unique opportunity, Blijdorp introduced the concept to the Dutch market in 1975. Operating out of Eemshaven, he launched daily Butterfahrten for Dutch tourists. Blijdorp's success lay in offering more than just tax-free shopping. His cruises delivered a memorable experience, blending commerce with entertainment. Passengers were encouraged to shop, but they also enjoyed a full day of games, music, quizzes, and small lotteries. This unique combination of retail and entertainment struck a chord with the Dutch public. In 1976, Blijdorp began working part-time for shipping company Kamstra, whose mini-cruises were booming. That same year, he received a full-time offer from Marriott Hotels in the United States. Simultaneously, Kamstra also offered him a permanent role. Although he originally intended to pursue a career in the hotel industry, he took the leap into entrepreneurship. On the condition that he could acquire shares in the company, he accepted Kamstra's offer and came on board full-time. Blijdorp's talent for business soon became evident. He built strong relationships with German suppliers, securing exclusive deals available only to Butterfahrt passengers. These arrangements not only kept customers coming back but also laid the groundwork for his later venture: B&S. The Rise of B&S In 1985 Blijdorp founded B&S, a company focused on the distribution of duty-free products. What began as a clever cruise concept soon transformed into a serious business. While the European unification brought significant economic advantages, it also marked the end of duty-free sales within the EU. As a result, the Butterfahrten ceased in 1999. Nevertheless, B&S remained focused on the duty-free market, which meant that B&S continued to grow. What began as modest boat trips from Eemshaven evolved into a global tax-free distribution empire. The experience, relationships, and business acumen developed during the Butterfahrten years became the foundation of B&S's growth into a market leader. Expanding the Business Today, he is also an active investor with a particular interest in startups and social ventures. He is involved in companies such as Mercatum Medical Care – a medical wholesaler, SocialDatabase – a data-driven marketing platform, and Advion -a distributor of cleaning and sanitary addition, he is committed to social initiatives like the Papageno House, a residence that supports children with autism. He also contributes to international projects that provide clean water and sanitation in underserved communities, such as those in Ghana. Also published on Medium. Notice an issue? Arabian Post strives to deliver the most accurate and reliable information to its readers. If you believe you have identified an error or inconsistency in this article, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at editor[at]thearabianpost[dot]com. We are committed to promptly addressing any concerns and ensuring the highest level of journalistic integrity.


Sharjah 24
29-05-2025
- Sharjah 24
SRTIP wins 'Research Center' Award at Seamless Middle East 2025
The event took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the presence of His Highness of His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and was organized by the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, attracting leading officials, experts, and decision-makers from across the Arab world. The award affirms SRTIP's growing reputation as a pioneering institution supporting the innovation ecosystem in the UAE and the broader region. It also reflects the Park's outstanding programs, infrastructure, and initiatives that position it as a regional model for advancing scientific and technological progress. The award was received by Dr. Fareed Al Amiri, Executive Director of Strategy, on behalf of SRTIP. The recognition honors the Park's impactful contributions to research-driven innovation, startup empowerment, and the development of cutting-edge technological solutions tailored to the needs of the digital economy. It also highlights SRTIP's strategic role in bridging academia, industry, and investment through its acclaimed triple-helix collaboration model. Hussain Mohammed Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTIP, said: 'We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition, which reflects our vision and unwavering commitment to enabling a knowledge- and innovation-based economy. Over the past years, we have built an integrated innovation environment that fosters research and development, attracts leading technology companies, and provides advanced infrastructure for smart solutions prototyping and manufacturing. This award is a testament to the collective efforts of our team and partners across the public and private sectors and motivates us to continue expanding innovation across the UAE and the region.' The awards ceremony was attended by H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, along with several Arab ministers and prominent officials. H.E. Aboul Gheit personally presented the awards, commending the winning institutions for their influential role in accelerating digital transformation and promoting sustainable development in the Arab world. In his remarks, Dr. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri, Advisor to the Arab Economic Unity Council and Chairman of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, emphasized the importance of the award in recognizing institutions committed to supporting the digital transformation journey. He noted that SRTIP exemplifies the successful application of technology and research in advancing sustainable development across the region. The Arab Digital Economy Award is one of the flagship initiatives of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, designed to spotlight impactful models in technology, innovation, and digital economy advancement, and to foster institutional excellence in the Arab world. Nominations undergo a rigorous evaluation process overseen by an independent panel of regional and international experts. This achievement aligns with SRTIP's strategic vision of positioning Sharjah as a leading regional center for scientific research, industrial development, and cross-sectoral collaboration. The Park continues to act as a critical bridge between academia, technology institutions, and investors in building a future-ready knowledge economy.