Sharjah, the third-largest emirate of the UAE, is showing impressive growth in foreign direct investment (FDI). In the first half of 2025, the volume of attracted capital reached $1.5 billion compared to $325 million a year earlier — a 361% increase. This surge not only confirms investor confidence but also supports the launch of new projects, job creation, and the expansion of the emirate’s industrial base.
Economic Growth Through Investment
Between January and June 2025, Sharjah implemented 74 new projects — a 57% rise compared to 47 projects in the same period of 2024. As a result, 2,578 new jobs were created in the emirate’s economy, marking 45% growth. Key areas of development include business services, industrial equipment, food and beverages, and consumer goods.
Projections suggest that investments will drive innovation, infrastructure development, and GDP growth. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are seeing especially active job creation, boosting consumer purchasing power and attracting further capital inflows.
Leadership and Strategic Development
According to Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the investment boom has been made possible by the strategic vision of Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq (the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority), emphasized that FDI growth strengthens the emirate’s industrial base and generates long-term value for society.
Sharjah focuses on sustainable development, talent support, and economic diversification. Alongside industrial and service sectors, creative industries, medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, and the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare play a vital role.
New Growth Centers
Innovation clusters are gaining momentum. The Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) is attracting major science and technology projects, while the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone is becoming a hub for the publishing and creative industries.
In healthcare, Dr. Abdelaziz Saeed Al Mheiri, Chairman of the Sharjah Healthcare City Authority, highlighted the emirate’s growing strength in pharmaceuticals and digital medicine. This makes Sharjah an attractive destination for long-term health sector investments, especially amid rising demand across the Middle East.
Free Zones and Entrepreneurship
The Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA) and Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) continue to play a pivotal role in attracting global capital, offering companies gateways to new markets and export growth. Sharjah Media City (Shams) focuses on media and creative industries, generating high value-added jobs. Meanwhile, the Sheraa Entrepreneurship Center supports startups by helping them find partners and expand globally.
Key Economic Drivers
Several sectors posted particularly strong growth in the first half of 2025. Consumer goods investments rose by 188%, with project numbers up by 53%. In food and beverages, projects increased by 112%, with employment up by 25%. Business services saw explosive growth, with capital up by 500% and employment by 1,100%. In manufacturing and industrial equipment, projects doubled while investment rose by 45%.
Sharjah on the Global Investment Map
Today, Sharjah is firmly establishing itself as one of the region’s leading investment hubs. With stability, strategic location, and strong government support, the emirate is converting record capital inflows into tangible economic growth.
Across the UAE as a whole, the country maintains its position as a regional leader in FDI inflows in the MENA region. Sharjah’s success demonstrates that a strategic focus on sustainability and economic diversification delivers lasting results.