Guided by the innovative vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry “SCCI” and the Sharjah Economic Excellence Network “ShjSEEN” held a breath-taking ceremony at Expo Centre Sharjah yesterday (Saturday), announcing the winners of the highly-coveted Sharjah Economic Excellence Network Awards 2016.
The Chamber honoured corporate and individual winners in five prestigious categories; The Sharjah Top 10 Businesses Award, The Sharjah UAE Start-up Award, The Sharjah Entrepreneur Award, The Sharjah Green Award, and The Sharjah CSR Award.
During the ceremony, HE Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ShjSEEN, announced the launch of a fresh award for top 10 GCC enterprises, aiming to stimulate corporate and individual’s excellence and innovation in various economic sectors.
Hilton Sharjah Hotel won the Sharjah CSR award, American University of Sharjah and Sharjah Police Headquarters received the Sharjah Green award. Fikra Design Studio and Bukhash Brothers won The Sharjah UAE Start-up Award. Hazaa Al Mansouri and Mohammed Al Mushrakh were selected winners for the Sharjah Entrepreneur Award. Sharjah Top 10 Businesses Awards were presented to Anchor Allied Factory, Kingston Holdings, Al Mosafer, Zulekha Hospital, Conmix LTD, Al Ansari Exchange and Petrofac International.
HE Ali Mohammed Thunayan Al Ghanim, Chairman of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry, HE Mohammed Thani Murshid Al Rumaithi, Chairman of the Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, alongside Mr. Al Owais, presented the awards to the winners. SCCI and ShjSEEN Also honoured members of the judging panel, for their unhindered support and continued efforts.
The award is aimed at promoting corporate governance, encouraging adoption of quality standards and business code of ethics, developing corporate social responsibility across the private sector, encouraging eco-friendly practices and strengthening the role of business community in achieving sustainable development.
The ceremony was attended by HE Abdul Rahman Otaishan, the First Deputy Chairman of the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry; HE Abdul Rahim Naqi, Secretary General of the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry; HE Dr Hamdan bin Abdullah Al Samrain, Chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, HE Saeed bin Saleh Al Kiyumi, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HE Khalid Abdul Rahman Al Moayed, Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Brigadier Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, General Commander of Sharjah Police, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Sharjah Economic Development Department, HE Khalid bin Butti Al Hajri, Director General of SCCI, HE Sara Al Madani, Board Member of SCCI, Board Member of ShjSeen and Board Member of the UAE SME and Enterprise Council, Nada Al Hajri, General Coordinator of ShjSeen, along with Board Members of ShjSeen, and a number of strategic partners and distinguished guests.
Excellence and Creativity
Al Owais stressed that the ceremony is the crown jewel of outstanding efforts, exerted in pursuit of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. These efforts go hand-in-hand with the Emirate’s strategy of encouraging excellence and creativity.
Al Owais added that SCCI amd ShjSeen are honoured by the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, as his continued support has significantly contributed in rendering the award’s development strategy a success, based on solid foundations and international standards. The award is based on objective assessment of the previous editions since the inaugural edition in 1995, following the success of its 1990 award event. The award has created a category for the top 10 exporters and has been the first ever award to encourage and recognize excellence across Sharjah’s business community.
Al Owais added that SCCI has early realized the importance of encouraging the culture of excellence as a catalyst to progress and prosperity, and has been committed to provide all the possible elements of excellence to members of the business community in the Emirate. He clarified that the Economic Excellence Awards, with its innovative content, multiple categories and valuable objectives, is a unique model of success. “It is based on European Quality Management Model and adapted to our local business environment”, he said.
“Encouraging the managements and employees of local businesses to achieve excellence, innovation and creativity in their corporate performance is one of our international ambitions”, he added.
Al Owais underlined SCCI’s dedication to create an ideal environment to ensure all-encompassing development and to modernize the award system under the supervision and follow up of the Board of Trustees. “This will turn the award into a more diverse, valuable and incubating one that seeks to support and recognize businesses in recognition of their excellence”, he said.
Al Owais congratulated the winners of Sharjah Economic Excellence Awards in its new categories, saying that they well-deserve the awards, in recognition of their outstanding efforts, performance and excellence throughout 2016.
He also praised ShjSeen’s team for their dedicated efforts and commitment, members of the judging panel for their competence and integrity, and the sponsors for their eagerness to make this edition of the award a success.
In conclusion, he encouraged the business community in Sharjah to broaden their participation in the future editions of the award. “We hope the number of entries will grow and the competition in this race of excellence and quality will expand. Together, we are marching towards more glory and prosperity to our Emirate and nation”, he concluded.
Model City
HE Sara Al Madani, Board Member of SCCI, Board Member of ShjSeen and Board Member of the UAE SME and Enterprise Council, said that the ShjSeen Network has selected the slogan “One City, Lots of Soul” as part of its endeavour to make Sharjah an ideal city to live and a destination of choice to do business in.
She highlighted their keenness to stay true to the tripartite program “Activate, Incubate, Award” which aims to promote business opportunities, cultural and economic lifestyle in Sharjah, support business start-ups in their early years, and award cash prizes to top performing businesses.
Al Madani stressed the strategic role of human capital in achieving overall development and ensuring a competitive edge. She called on the business community to invest in human capital and to promote innovation to achieve corporate quality management.
Al Madani added that ShjSeen Network initiative provides a unique platform to communicate with government and business leaders and learn from their experiences. “In 2017, the central focus will be on boosting the overall growth in Sharjah by highlighting the Emirate as distinctive destination for business and modern living.”
Al Madani extended, on behalf of SCCI and the ShjSeen Network, thanks to strategic partners and to media partners: Sharjah Media Centre, Sharjah TV, Al Khaleej and SME Adviser and Entrepreneur Middle East.
Professor Rajiv Uttamchandani, an Astrophysicist, Founder and Chairman of International STEM for Human Rights, delivered a motivational speech, in which he said making a change in community is possible through setting the goals and identifying the responsibilities required to achieve these goals. He hailed efforts made by ShjSeen in providing opportunities for social development and prosperity.
HE Mohammed Hilal, SCCI Board Member and Chairman of Mohammed Hilal Perfume Factory, said: “Because love comes from the heart, the award selected the heart to present to winners. Heart was the theme of the award, so it will be an everlasting inspiration to winners.”
