| The free trade and specialised industrial zones | | | | Growing trade ties between India and Sharjah have |
| serviced by an integrated transport system and | | | | made it easier for SMEs on both the sides to seek |
| highly-developed infrastructure make Sharjah the | | | | cooperation in sectors like infrastructure |
| industrial heartland of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). | | | | development, information technology (IT), tourism, |
| The diversified and well developed industrial base of | | | | gems & jewellery, oil & gas, chemicals |
| Sharjah has helped it attract numerous foreign direct | | | | & petrochemicals and drugs & |
| investments (FDIs) and has enabled it to strengthen | | | | pharmaceuticals. |
| its trade ties with other nations. | | | | The growth-oriented economic structure of Sharjah |
| Sharjah's growth rate in the global industrial graph has | | | | and its favourable business environment has in the |
| shown a consistent upward movement over the past | | | | past prompted several Indian companies to set up |
| few years. The well developed industrial base and | | | | base in this emirate. Alternatively, some major firms |
| vibrant market in the Emirates has enabled Sharjah to | | | | in Sharjah have found investments in India highly |
| position itself as a leading economic power in the | | | | profitable. These companies are now planning to open |
| world market. Oil, gas, steel, aluminium, chemicals, | | | | centres across the country. The growing cooperation |
| agriculture, livestock rearing and fishing are key | | | | between SMEs of both the countries and inking of |
| industries driving Sharjah's economy. | | | | deals and trade agreements have further |
| On the trading front, India is one of the foremost | | | | strengthened the multi-dimensional relationship shared |
| trading partners of the emirate of Sharjah. Bilateral | | | | by both India and Sharjah. |
| trade between both countries has witnessed a | | | | To cash in on the increasing Indo-Sharjah trade ties, |
| quantum increase in the past few years, reaching 7.3 | | | | the public trade officials and industry representatives |
| billion dirhams, amounting to $2 billion in 2007. | | | | are discussing commercial potential, investment |
| According to figures provided by Sharjah Customs, | | | | prospects and are searching for areas of synergy. In |
| India's exports to Sharjah stood at $1.8 billion in 2007, | | | | another move to boost Indo-Arab trade relations, |
| a 5.9% growth as compared to the previous year. | | | | the governments of the two countries are taking |
| As for exports from Sharjah to India during the | | | | initiatives on various fronts. The Federation of Indian |
| same year, the amount totalled $300 million, marking | | | | Export Organisations (FIEO) has set up India Trade |
| a sharp rise of 50% from 2006. collaboration | | | | Centre (ITC) at Sharjah's SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport |
| between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the | | | | International Free Zone) to help exporters market |
| two countries is expected to further boost this | | | | their products and occupy a greater market share. |
| figure in the coming years. | | | | |