Sharjah - MENA Herald: Sharjah Exports Development Center (SEDC), an initiative of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, invited the industrial business community in Sharjah and the UAE to take part in the Industrial Cooperation and Supply Chain Conference, held at SCCI’s headquarters on Tuesday, November 22
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, The prestigious event is themed “Utilizing Industrial Cooperation to Develop Local Supply Chain Capability”, and will serve as an important opportunity to explore and discuss global trends of the industrial sectors. The conference will discuss developing ways of converting the established manufacturers in the country into exporters of products and services to the international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s).
The industry-focused conference will bring together representatives of the business community in Sharjah and the UAE, and a number of major local and international manufacturers in defense, aviation and space industrial sectors. They will discuss challenges of investment in manufacturing and business sectors and supply chains, and exchange views and ideas that support the objectives of the conference.
H.E. Sultan Abdullah Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, stressed that the Chamber, as the appointed representative to promote business within Sharjah, is committed to assisting its members in developing their resources, identifying new global markets and becoming globally competitive thereby increasing their export opportunities.
Al Owais said that the development of manufacturing sector is not an option but a priority to be in line with the UAE’s economic diversification strategy. “Extensive efforts should be made by public sector and business community alike, to boost the industrial and export sectors and raise the economic status of the Emirate and the UAE. “
Al Owais encouraged investors, businessmen and entrepreneurs to participate in the conference, describing it as a vital platform to explore existing opportunities, identify future challenges and discuss the possibility of industrial cooperation to expand the capacities of local manufacturers, enabling them to supply components and services to Tier 1, 2 or 3 UAE and international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's) in the Defense, Aviation and Space industrial sectors.
HE Khalid bin Butti Al Hajri, Director General of SCCI, said the conference holds significant importance representing an international networking platform, where manufacturers and OEMs can get together and discuss areas of mutual interest.
He added that the conference has been designed as an informal networking and information gathering event where representatives from all supply chain stakeholders, including government, public sector initiatives, local and international purchasers and professional services representatives from the private sector can get together and showcase their products and services.
H.E. Sultan Abdullah Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will deliver the welcome address in the opening session. This will be followed by a speech by Kim Childs, Managing Partner of O2K Ltd.
A selected group of experts in various manufacturing sectors, senior officials and CEOs of major local and international industrial organizations from both government and private sectors will hold talks during the conference’s discussion panels.
H.E. Matar Al Romaithi, Chief Officer of Tawazun Economic Council will deliver a keynote address titled The UAE Industrial Cooperation Authority, followed by a keynote address titled Creating a UAE World-Class Tier 1 Manufacturer – Technology Cooperation Success Story, by Ms. Sara Al Abahbi, Senior Manager, Supply Chain, STRATA PJSC.
Mr. Fahad Mohammed Al Mheiri, Director of Business Development, EDIC will give a keynote address titled State-of-the-Art Manufacturing – desired capabilities to meet present and future manufacturing requirements for the UAE defense sector.
In his keynote address, William Buonnani, Senior Manager, Supply Chain, Lockheed Martin, will discuss the Role of the Defense/ Aviation industry in facilitating local manufacturers to achieve the required levels of quality, governance and management to be competitive globally.
Ms. Courtney Foster, Business Supply Chain Solutions, British Standards International (BSI), will present the Industrial Cooperation Support Services Unit – an initiative of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with O2K Ltd. This will be followed by a paper entitled “Evaluating Supply Chain Risk”, by Ms. Courtney Foster, from the Business Supply Chain Solutions, British Standards International (BSI)
In the second panel, OEM supplier requirements will be discussed. Defense industry representatives will also discuss the process by which their suppliers are selected. Panelists will be Ahmed Al Khatib from BSI; Oliver Reynolds, CRIF-Dunn and Bradstreet and Alden Holden, Raytheon Corporation.
Titled “UAE and the Northern Emirates – A Global Manufacturing Destination”, the third panel will discuss the advantages, challenges and opportunities for investing in, and sourcing from UAE manufacturers. The panel will be moderated by Kim Childs, O2K Ltd and panelists will be Mr. Abdelaziz Shattaf, SEDC, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Samuel Lalu, Kingston Holdings and Mr. Samer Sayegh, CEO, National Paints.
The conference will discuss the business and investment environment in the UAE, focusing on industrial investment environment. the agenda will also include the legal framework, laws and regulations of industrial sectors, facilities and incentives offered for industrial investment and the roles of federal and local government agencies, chambers of commerce and industry and export development centers in promoting opportunities of industrial investments and opening new export markets.
EDIC has built a website to promote the conference and provide information for attendees. EDIC aims to support the business community and promote high quality national products to help increase exports to regional and international markets, and contribute to the creation of a sustainable economy in the Emirate and the UAE.