Among the festival's major activities is the "Ramadan Exhibition" to be held at the Sharjah Expo Center from August 27 until September 21, 2009. The show is a major marketing platform for exhibitors to display various products.  Among this year's main attractions is a special furniture exhibition.

Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, SCCI Chairman and Vice President of the festival's Higher Organising Committee, said: "The president of our committee,  Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, called for more intense preparations and arrangements by the committees concerned. By providing excellent facilities and suitable marketing opportunities, SCCI hopes to contribute significantly to investment promotion and overall economic growth across the emirate. We also aim to fulfill our social responsibilities and play a greater role in Sharjah's sustainable development. The festival was highly successful last year, so we encourage greater participation from local companies and traders to help us attract a larger number of clients and exhibitors".

"The 20^th edition of the festival is a positive and major addition to local initiatives aimed at enhancing the emirate's regional and international status as a safe and attractive tourist and business destination. We welcome all forms of cooperation as we search for the best means to promote such events, through an organisational structure that magnifies the impact and benefits of festivals and other marketing activities," he added.

Mohamed Ahmed Amin, Assistant Director General of Economic and International Affairs, SCCI, said: "The Sharjah Ramadan Festival is an important entertainment and marketing event that assumes a vital social and cultural role in the UAE. We have been emphasizing this aspect of the event through activities that highlight the dynamic nature of Sharjah. We intend to increase the number of visitors and shoppers by expanding retail space and increasing the number of companies confirming their participation. Through the various festivities, we will highlight our seasonal activities and present the emirate in the best possible way".

"The technical committee has studied all the activities recommended by the Higher Organising Committee, which has taken the necessary steps to ensure that traders benefit fully from the festival program. We call on all retail managers, exhibitors, and malls to participate and avail of the numerous incentives offered by this year's edition and gain excellent exposure for their products and services. Sharjah is emerging as a key contributor to national economic development, becoming a favourite destination for major local and national events. SCCI will continue to support activities such as the Sharjah Ramadan Festival which highlight the rich heritage of the emirate while contributing to the development of the local and national economy"," he added.

Sharjah Ramadan Festival, the annual event held during the holy month of Ramadan for 42 days, is expected to draw a huge audience to its social, cultural, religious, sports, environmental, and traditional activities. It has evolved into an important activity that contributes significantly to enhancing the emirate's image and competitiveness. SCCI will closely coordinate with local government to achieve more success during this year's edition, which will enjoy greater support from official, main and sub sponsors. The Chamber is targeting more promotional and marketing activities to enhance investments, boost the local economy, support private companies, and attract all sectors of society.

The festival's Higher Organising Committee will hold a press conference at its headquarters next week to announce the sponsors of the event. The press conference will also reveal details of the various activities and programs of this festival, which has become one of the marketing pillars of the country and continues to attract vast economic and social interest.

Global Arab Network