Latest news with #HamadAliAbdullahAlMahmoud
Arabian Business
15-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Sharjah's economic department introduces AI trade name service, cutting processing time by 98%
Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) launched a trade name issuance service using artificial intelligence (AI), marking a significant step forward in the department's digital transformation journey. The initiative is aimed at improving the service experience for individuals and businesses. The new service represents a fundamental shift in restructuring procedures, reducing the time and effort required to complete transactions through SEDD's various channels. The service will deploy AI technologies to analyse the nature of commercial activity and suggest innovative names that comply with regulatory requirements. The new service will reduce the completion process of trade name issuance by up to 98 per cent, the department said. Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud, SEDD Chairman, said the trade name issuance service has been developed to provide a unified and integrated digital experience based on AI and operational flexibility, meeting the aspirations of customers across various sectors. It also enhances the flexibility and efficiency of the emirate's business environment, facilitates the establishment of companies and businesses across various disciplines, and boosts the attractiveness of local and foreign investments in Sharjah, he said.
Sharjah 24
27-04-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Consultative Council discusses economic development
The session was held at the council's headquarters in Sharjah, chaired by His Excellency Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Council. Attending were His Excellency Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Member of the Sharjah Executive Council and Chairman of SEDD, alongside senior officials including His Excellency Fahad Ahmed Al Khamiri, Director of SEDD, Dr Muddathir Abdullah, Legal Adviser, Hamad Omar Al Madfa, Director of Legal Affairs, and Maryam Nasser Al Suwaidi, Director of Registration and Licensing. The session opened with the Secretary-General of the Council, Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan, presenting the general topic of discussion, highlighting that SEDD was established in 1999 under an Amiri decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The creation of SEDD came through the merger of the Economic Department and the Industrial Development Department to promote sustainable economic development and strengthen the business environment. Following this, His Excellency Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud delivered a speech expressing gratitude to the council members for their continuous support. He affirmed that SEDD's mission is to develop Sharjah's economy and provide distinguished services to investors, adopting the latest technologies and working towards service innovation and simplification. He reviewed the department's key services and policies, stressing its vital role in supporting economic and investment sectors and ensuring Sharjah remains a leading destination for entrepreneurs and investors. Fourteen council members then engaged in discussions, raising questions and offering suggestions. Topics included proposing incentives and legislation to enhance the sustainability of economic activities and address business leakage from the emirate. Among the key interventions, His Excellency Rashid Abdullah bin Huwaiden highlighted concerns regarding the protection of small and emerging enterprises, especially those supported by the "Ruwad" programme. He pointed to challenges such as high commission rates by digital platforms like "Talabat", and called for regulatory solutions to protect these businesses. Her Excellency Dr Fatima Khalifa Al Moqarrab proposed three pillars for discussion: learning from successful local and international economic models, strategies for helping national companies expand globally under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA), and mitigating the impact of tax systems on the private sector, particularly given the lack of a Federal Tax Authority office in Sharjah. His Excellency Amer Mohammed Al Zarouni discussed the importance of institutional coordination to streamline business procedures, while His Excellency Abdullah Tarish Al Ketbi addressed the need for collaboration with educational institutions to prepare qualified Emirati talent for the labour market. Further questions were raised concerning commercial licensing processes, the use of foreign trade names, compliance with anti-money laundering regulations, and the need to better regulate sectors such as the used car parts trade in Sharjah's industrial areas. Suggestions also included establishing a quality rating system for private sector services, supporting local farmers to enhance food security, facilitating banking services for businesses in sensitive sectors, and implementing policies to ensure balanced economic growth between development and environmental protection. Finally, His Excellency Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud and his team presented a positive economic outlook for Sharjah. They reported that SEDD's revenues for 2024 reached AED 1.07 billion, a growth of 11%, with 72,406 active business establishments. Licence issuance and renewals also recorded significant growth rates of 6% and 7% respectively. The session concluded with a note that further discussions would continue in subsequent coverage to present additional interventions by council members.
Sharjah 24
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Sharjah 24
SCC discusses SEDD policies Thursday
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 26th of Shawwal 1446 AH, corresponding to April 24, and will begin at 10:00 AM at the Council's headquarters in the city of Sharjah. His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Council, will chair it. Agenda The agenda includes the approval of the minutes from the 12th meeting, followed by a discussion on the policies of the SEDD. Attending the meeting will be Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Chairman of the SEDD, Fahad Ahmed Al Khumairi, Director of the SEDD, along with their assistants from various departments.
Zawya
18-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah's Ruwad approves funding for 4 new projects
SHARJAH - The Project Funding Committee of the Sharjah Foundation to Support Pioneering Entrepreneurs (Ruwad) has approved funding for four new small businesses with a total value of AED720,000. These approvals were based on the 32nd and 33rd meetings of the committee, held in January and March 2025, respectively. The meetings were chaired by Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Chairman of the Sharjah Economic Development Department, with the participation of committee members Saeed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Faisal Jassim Al Madfa, Fahad Al Khameri, Dr. Mudathir Abdullah, and Nora Al Zarooni. Also present were members of the technical project funding committee, including Nasser Abdullah Al Owais, Deputy Head of Project Study and Analysis; Rashid Sawaked, Project Development Consultant; and Hamda Khater, Head of the Financing Division at Ruwad. During these meetings, the committee reviewed new funding requests and approved financing for four entrepreneurial projects through the direct financing system. These projects span various sectors, including food businesses, beauty centres, cryotherapy, and entertainment services. Of the approved projects, two are owned by female entrepreneurs, while the other two are jointly owned by both men and women. Additionally, in its January meeting, the committee reviewed a report on funded projects in 2024, which totaled 13 projects that received financial approval. All approvals were granted through direct financing by the foundation, with total funding reaching AED2.86 million. Sharjah city accounted for 64% of the funded projects, with nine projects, while four projects (29%) were funded in the Eastern Region, and one project was supported in the Central Region. The distribution by gender showed that 10 projects were owned by male entrepreneurs, while 4 projects were led by female entrepreneurs. As part of its agenda, the committee also reviewed the foundation's accounts and financial budget, in addition to discussing several development proposals and making the necessary decisions regarding their implementation.
Sharjah 24
17-03-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Ruwad approves funding for 4 new projects worth AED 720,000
Funding Decisions from Two Committee Meetings These approvals were based on the 32nd and 33rd meetings of the committee, held in January and March 2025, respectively. The meetings were chaired by His Excellency Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Chairman of the Sharjah Economic Development Department, with the participation of committee members Saeed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Faisal Jassim Al Madfa, Fahad Al Khameri, Dr. Mudathir Abdullah, and Nora Al Zarooni. Also present were members of the technical project funding committee, including Nasser Abdullah Al Owais, Deputy Head of Project Study and Analysis; Rashid Sawaked, Project Development Consultant; and Hamda Khater, Head of the Financing Division at Ruwad. Diverse Sectors and Gender Distribution During these meetings, the committee reviewed new funding requests and approved financing for four entrepreneurial projects through the direct financing system. These projects span various sectors, including food businesses, beauty centres, cryotherapy, and entertainment services. Of the approved projects, two are owned by female entrepreneurs, while the other two are jointly owned by both men and women. Funding Overview for 2024 Additionally, in its January meeting, the committee reviewed a report on funded projects in 2024, which totaled 13 projects that received financial approval. All approvals were granted through direct financing by the foundation, with total funding reaching AED 2.86 million. Sharjah city accounted for 64% of the funded projects, with nine projects, while four projects (29%) were funded in the Eastern Region, and one project was supported in the Central Region. The distribution by gender showed that 10 projects were owned by male entrepreneurs, while 4 projects were led by female entrepreneurs. Financial Review and Development Proposals As part of its agenda, the committee also reviewed the foundation's accounts and financial budget, in addition to discussing several development proposals and making the necessary decisions regarding their implementation.
