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Gulf Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
New digital platform launched to streamline M&A in Sharjah
The Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) has launched 'Sharjah AcquireHub', the region's first government-backed digital platform that specifically streamlines mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within Sharjah. Developed in a strategic partnership with Transworld Business Advisors, a global authority in business advisory services, the platform aims to accelerate economic growth, enhance market resilience, and attract high-calibre investment to Sharjah through a transparent and secure environment for M&A transactions. Sharjah AcquireHub serves diverse stakeholders; including international investors, SMEs, entrepreneurs, and local businesses; connecting capital with high-potential opportunities in the emirate. The platform enhances market liquidity and provides flexible solutions for growth, strategic exits, or corporate restructuring. Its end-to-end process includes seamless online registration, tailored advisory support, and post-transaction assistance, all reinforced by strict confidentiality measures such as NDAs and thorough due diligence. This secure, structured ecosystem empowers investors, buyers, and financiers with the clarity and protections needed to confidently pursue acquisitions or strategic partnerships, while also providing a trusted platform for business owners in Sharjah who are seeking to exit, allowing them to list their companies for potential acquisition. The platform is the outcome of an MoU signed between Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, and Ahmad Ibrahim, CEO of Transworld GCC, formalised in the presence of Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). The partnership underscores Sharjah's ongoing commitment to fostering robust public-private collaboration and enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of its investment ecosystem. Sharjah AcquireHub is a strategic gateway for investors seeking access to high-potential opportunities in the emirate, particularly within the dynamic and profitable mid-market segment. It provides advanced tools and clear pathways to engage with the global M&A landscape, which reached a value of US$ 3.5 trillion in 2024, marking a 15% increase over the previous year, according to Bain & Company. The platform addresses the growing momentum in M&A and exit activity at the regional level, with 701 deals totalling $92.3 billion recorded across regional markets in 2024, as reported in the EY MENA M&A Report. The upward trend highlights the importance of a locally-rooted yet globally-aligned platform that offers secure, regulated support for facilitating such strategic transactions. It also represents a strategic opportunity for SMEs and entrepreneurs to integrate into a wider growth environment through partnerships and alliances that support development, safe exits, or repositioning. This contributes to the stability of the SME sector, which constitutes over 94% of businesses in the UAE. Sharjah has seen notable growth in business establishment and sustainability, with 71,320 new and renewed licences issued in 2024, reflecting a 7% increase. At the macroeconomic level, Sharjah AcquireHub is an enabler of innovation and economic transformation, offering a more agile and effective approach to restructuring and capital allocation. By channelling resources towards high-value projects and enterprises, the platform empowers policymakers to prioritise strategic sectors, thereby advancing economic diversification and reducing dependence on traditional industries. Its launch reaffirms Sharjah's commitment to fostering an integrated investment environment supported by a long-term economic vision. Anchored by a knowledge-based, diversified economy and consistent backing for key sectors such as industry, technology, and healthcare, and bolstered by its strategic geographic position, Sharjah is uniquely placed to serve as a regional hub for high-impact M&A activity. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, said: "In our ongoing efforts to position the emirate as a regional hub for M&A, our collaboration with Transworld Business Advisors creates new pathways for domestic and international investors, leveraging global expertise alongside Sharjah's development vision and technological capabilities. The platform reflects evolving business dynamics and reinforces Sharjah's leadership in shaping the future of investment across the region.' For his part, Ahmad Ibrahim, CEO of Transworld GCC, commented: "We are proud to be part of this partnership, which exemplifies meaningful collaboration in building a cohesive and sustainable investment ecosystem, and we are confident in the long-term impact this platform will have in enhancing the investment landscape and unlocking new growth opportunities. At Transworld, we believe that digital transformation and strategic partnerships will be central to driving the next phase of economic advancement.' Transworld Business Advisors is recognised as a leading force in the global M&A landscape, having completed over 2,500 transactions in 2024 alone. With a presence spanning more than 250 offices across 27 countries and a network of over 1,000 specialised dealmakers, the firm ranks among Axial's Top 100 global M&A advisory firms. As a partner in the Sharjah AcquireHub initiative, Transworld Business Advisors is spearheading the development of the platform's operational framework, and will also deliver M&A readiness workshops for local businesses and launch an international matchmaking programme to connect vetted companies with prospective investors. In addition, it will lead targeted roadshows in high-potential global markets to promote strategic acquisition opportunities in Sharjah. Curated investment opportunities across Sharjah will be featured on the Invest in Sharjah website and updated regularly. The platform enables company owners to register their interest in pursuing expansion or exit strategies. It also provides a gateway for investors seeking to enter the UAE market through well-structured, strategic transactions. WAM
Sharjah 24
7 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Invest in Sharjah launches region's 1st govt. -led digital plat.
Sharjah AcquireHub serves diverse stakeholders; including international investors, SMEs, entrepreneurs, and local businesses; connecting capital with high-potential opportunities in the emirate. The platform enhances market liquidity and provides flexible solutions for growth, strategic exits, or corporate restructuring. Its end-to-end process includes seamless online registration, tailored advisory support, and post-transaction assistance, all reinforced by strict confidentiality measures such as NDAs and thorough due diligence. This secure, structured ecosystem empowers investors, buyers, and financiers with the clarity and protections needed to confidently pursue acquisitions or strategic partnerships, while also providing a trusted platform for business owners in Sharjah who are seeking to exit, allowing them to list their companies for potential acquisition. A product of a public-private partnership The platform is the outcome of an MOU signed between H.E Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, and Ahmad Ibrahim, CEO of Transworld GCC, formalised in the presence of H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). The partnership underscores Sharjah's ongoing commitment to fostering robust public-private collaboration and enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of its investment ecosystem. New pathways to a USD 3.5 trillion market Sharjah AcquireHub is a strategic gateway for investors seeking access to high-potential opportunities in the emirate, particularly within the dynamic and profitable mid-market segment. It provides advanced tools and clear pathways to engage with the global M&A landscape, which reached a value of USD 3.5 trillion in 2024, marking a 15% increase over the previous year, according to Bain & Company. The platform addresses the growing momentum in M&A and exit activity at the regional level, with 701 deals totalling USD 92.3 billion recorded across regional markets in 2024, as reported in the EY MENA M&A Report. The upward trend highlights the importance of a locally-rooted yet globally-aligned platform that offers secure, regulated support for facilitating such strategic transactions. It also represents a strategic opportunity for SMEs and entrepreneurs to integrate into a wider growth environment through partnerships and alliances that support development, safe exits, or repositioning. This contributes to the stability of the SME sector, which constitutes over 94% of businesses in the UAE. Sharjah has seen notable growth in business establishment and sustainability, with 71,320 new and renewed licences issued in 2024, reflecting a 7% increase. A holistic and sustainable economic impact At the macroeconomic level, Sharjah AcquireHub is an enabler of innovation and economic transformation, offering a more agile and effective approach to restructuring and capital allocation. By channelling resources towards high-value projects and enterprises, the platform empowers policymakers to prioritise strategic sectors, thereby advancing economic diversification and reducing dependence on traditional industries. Its launch reaffirms Sharjah's commitment to fostering an integrated investment environment supported by a long-term economic vision. Anchored by a knowledge-based, diversified economy and consistent backing for key sectors such as industry, technology, and healthcare, and bolstered by its strategic geographic position, Sharjah is uniquely placed to serve as a regional hub for high-impact M&A activity. A regional hub for M&A H.E Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, said: 'In our ongoing efforts to position the emirate as a regional hub for M&A, our collaboration with Transworld Business Advisors creates new pathways for domestic and international investors, leveraging global expertise alongside Sharjah's development vision and technological capabilities. The platform reflects evolving business dynamics and reinforces Sharjah's leadership in shaping the future of investment across the region.' For his part, Ahmad Ibrahim, CEO of Transworld GCC, commented: 'We are proud to be part of this partnership, which exemplifies meaningful collaboration in building a cohesive and sustainable investment ecosystem, and we are confident in the long-term impact this platform will have in enhancing the investment landscape and unlocking new growth opportunities. At Transworld, we believe that digital transformation and strategic partnerships will be central to driving the next phase of economic advancement.' Global expertise with local solutions Transworld Business Advisors is recognised as a leading force in the global M&A landscape, having completed over 2,500 transactions in 2024 alone. With a presence spanning more than 250 offices across 27 countries and a network of over 1,000 specialised dealmakers, the firm ranks among Axial's Top 100 global M&A advisory firms. As a partner in the Sharjah AcquireHub initiative, Transworld Business Advisors is spearheading the development of the platform's operational framework, and will also deliver M&A readiness workshops for local businesses and launch an international matchmaking programme to connect vetted companies with prospective investors. In addition, it will lead targeted roadshows in high-potential global markets to promote strategic acquisition opportunities in Sharjah. Curated investment opportunities across Sharjah will be featured on the Invest in Sharjah website and updated regularly. The platform enables company owners to register their interest in pursuing expansion or exit strategies. It also provides a gateway for investors seeking to enter the UAE market through well-structured, strategic transactions.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Rare earths need Petronas-like oversight, scholar says
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should consider replicating the Petronas model to develop its rare earth elements (REE) industry, ensuring strategic oversight, sustainable practices and long-term economic gains, a policy scholar said. Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim proposed the formation of a government-linked entity, tentatively named the National Rare Earths Corporation (NREC), to oversee the entire REE value chain. This would include upstream exploration, downstream manufacturing and international trade. "This mirrors the role Petronas played in Malaysia's oil and gas sector, but adapted to today's critical mineral needs and geopolitical landscape," said Ahmad, an associate fellow at Universiti Malaya's Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies. He said rare earths are becoming increasingly vital for clean energy and defence technologies. "Rare earths have become a critical feature of a sustainable world. China currently controls over 85 per cent of global supply, and this dominance gives it significant geopolitical leverage," he said in a statement. "Malaysia must not sit back while holding untapped resources." Malaysia's known REE deposits include ion-adsorption clay (IAC), found in the granite-rich spine of Peninsular Malaysia. Ahmad noted that the country holds an estimated 16.2 million tonnes of REE. No thorium has been detected in the IAC, making it safer to develop. "Venturing into rare earths presents a strategic opportunity for Malaysia, but the approach must be structured, transparent and forward-looking," he said. He called for decentralised operations under central oversight. Under this model, NREC would manage national strategy and global partnerships, while state-level Rare Earth Boards ensure local benefit-sharing and environmental compliance. "Malaysia should position itself as a global model for ethical rare earth production. The goal is to avoid the 'resource curse' and focus on value-added production like rare earth alloys," Ahmad said. He also highlighted the potential value of thorium, a radioactive by-product of rare earth processing, in next-generation nuclear reactors. "New reactor designs like Molten Salt Reactors and Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors are gaining traction globally due to their safety and sustainability," he said. Malaysia, he added, could re-evaluate thorium currently stored as waste in facilities such as Lynas in Gebeng. However, Ahmad cautioned that the rare earths market is smaller and technically more complex than oil, with higher environmental and geopolitical risks. "Transparency, sustainability and geopolitical neutrality will be more important than in oil and gas. But the rewards, if managed well, could be just as significant." He urged the government to adopt international best practices in governance, publish regular ESG reports and include civil society in oversight processes. "The Petronas model succeeded due to strong legal backing, technical capability-building and global partnerships. These principles remain relevant but must be adapted for today's environmental and geopolitical realities. "We must not squander this opportunity. A hybrid Petronas model — state-led but innovation-driven, transparent and green — can position Malaysia as a respected player in the global critical minerals economy."
Borneo Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
DUN reappoints Ahmad Ibrahim as senator for second term
Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim — Ukas photo KUCHING (May 22): The State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today approved a motion to reappoint Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, 56, as a member of the Dewan Negara for a second term. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is Bukit Sari assemblyman, proposed the motion, which was seconded by Deputy Premier and Batu Kawah assemblyman Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. His current appointment, which started on July 22, 2022, is set to end on July 21, 2025, while his new appointment is effective the following day. During a press conference, Ahmad thanked Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, deputy premiers, all assembly members, and DUN leadership for their continued trust. 'This is not merely a personal honour. It is a sacred responsibility to carry Sarawak's voice, to defend our territorial rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and to ensure Sarawak's interests are safeguarded at the federal level,' he said. Ahmad, who is also Malaysian Senators Council vice president and a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member, is known for his outspoken stance on issues such as MA63, the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO58), the strengthening of Petros, and Sarawak's autonomy within the Malaysian Federation. Throughout his first term, he actively participated in policy debates, engagement sessions with youths, NGOs, and community leaders, representing Sarawak's voice in national development, federal-state relations, and inclusive governance. 'Moving forward, I reaffirm my full commitment to all Anak Sarawak. 'I will continue to serve with integrity, cross-party cooperation, and deep loyalty to our land and people,' he added. Born on Aug 14, 1969 at Kanowit Hospital, Ahmad began his early education at St Teresa's Primary School in Serian before transferring to St Joseph's Primary School here, followed by St Joseph's Secondary School. He later furthered his studies at Ashbury College in Ottawa, Canada. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in International Business (Finance) from the University of San Francisco, California, USA, in 1995. Upon returning to Malaysia, he was actively involved in various community initiatives and social development programmes alongside his professional duties in banking and business management, eventually transitioning into politics. Ahmad has been a member of PBB since 1996 and has served as PBB Batu Kawa chairman since 2009, as well as a member of the PBB Supreme Council. In the field of youth and sports development, he has been a Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) lifetime member since 2006 and currently serves as Saberkas Batu Kitang deputy chairman.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Sarawak State Assembly renominates Ahmad Ibrahim as Senator
KUCHING: The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly today unanimously renominated Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim to continue serving as a Senator to represent the state for a second term. The renomination was proposed by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also the state Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, and supported by another Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also the state Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government. Ahmad, 55, was first appointed as a Senator for the July 22, 2022, to July 21, 2025 term. The Kanowit-born Ahmad has been active in politics through his involvement in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) since 1996 and is currently the PBB Batu Kawah branch chief as well as a Sarawak PBB Supreme Council member. He also holds the post of vice-president of the Council of Malaysian Senators. He previously served as Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) deputy chairman from 2016 to 2023 and played a crucial role in various local development initiatives, including the annual Padawan Raft Safari and Telaga Air Festival events. In addition, he is also active in youth organisations like SABERKAS and several other associations, including the Miri Melanau Association and the Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA).
