UAE: Sharjah

A set of new developments in research and development (R&D), entrepreneurship and media are broadening the role of higher education in Sharjah.

A series of investments in the ecotourism and heritage segments are beginning to yield results in Sharjah’s expanding family tourism industry.

While falling property prices in Dubai have reduced Sharjah’s real estate competitiveness over the last year, a spate of large-scale, mixed-use developments and improvements to transport infrastructure are spurring a more positive market outlook.

A new medical centre is set to spearhead Sharjah’s efforts to tap into foreign investment in health care as the government moves to meet rising demand and expand into medical tourism.

Stepping up efforts to attract foreign investment to its shores, Sharjah is reaching out to the global market to spur growth at home, though the emirate is facing stiff competition in an increasingly tight global market.

Sharjah is seeking to position itself as a niche aviation connection centre, with the local budget airline expanding the number of routes it serves and specialist carriers focusing on potential in the upper end of the market. High costs and stiff competition, however, could pose a challenge to the emirate’s ambitions.