On Sunday’s evening, the events and activities of Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition “ACRES 2023” were successfully concluded for this year’s session. The remarkable exhibition, which was hosted at Expo Center Sharjah from 25^th until 28^thof May, was organized by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry(SCCI) and Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD), and it succeeded in attracting thousands of visitors, investors, and entrepreneurs from inside and outside the UAE.

During these four days, the exhibition witnessed the signing of a large number of commercial deals and partnerships,which reflected the diversity of investment options and the financial facilities and incentives provided by participating local, Arab, and foreign companies and institutions specialized in real estate sector. The huge turnout of these companies is due to Sharjah’s status as an attractive investment destination, the increasing number of modern residential complexes and new shopping centers, and the emirate’s reputation as an ideal global destination for living and working.

Amazing growth in participations

This year, the exhibition witnessed an increase in the number of real estate and investment projects presented by major real estate development companies from other emirates. Moreover, there was 27% growth in the number of participating companies, which varied as being financial institutions, insurance and legal consultancy companies, real estate management services, engineering services and project management companies, and in addition to emerging companies in the field of real estate technology and artificial intelligence, which had a special pavilion that attracted many visitors.

Both visitors and participants expressed their admiration for the level of organization witnessed in the exhibition, its services, the high credibility of the displayed real estate products in its pavilions, and the diversity of projects and investment opportunities offered by the exhibition; including housing units, urban projects, homes, and various tourist and commercial facilities.

Al Owais: Revitalizing the real estate investment environment in all its fields.

His Excellency Abdalla Sultan Al-Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), said: “The exhibition succeeded in attracting hundreds of businessmen, investors, and real estate developers who praised Sharjah’spromising real estate and investment opportunities, which the exhibition succeeded in highlighting throughout its period. In addition, “ACRES 2023” served as a large platform for investors to display and promote their current and future projects, which in turn contributes to revitalizing the real estate investment environment in all its fields in the emirate.”.

Al-Owais also stressed that “the exhibition was as a forum for all entities working in the real estate sector to exchange views and suggestions on developing the market and increasing the volume of investments, to start partnerships, and to conclude deals.”.

Al-Shamsi: Diversity of real estate opportunities.

For his part, His Excellency Abdulaziz Ahmed Al-Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department,praised “the distinguished organization of the exhibition by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with the Department and Emirates Vision Media Network”.His Excellency also thanked all the companies participating in the exhibition, as it witnessed a great turnout by the public who wanted to seize the investment opportunities presented in the various pavilions. Al-Shamsi added that “these opportunities highlighted the investment advantages enjoyed by Sharjah, and the great various facilities provided by our wise government to encourage investment, which in turn contributed to attracting more investors and capital from various countries in the region and the world.”.

His Excellency also stated that “the exhibition is part of the department’s strategy to promote investment in the real estate sector in Sharjah, and to introduce the incentives and facilities which the department provides to investors, businessmen, and people wishing to own or be part of the thriving real estate market in the emirate.”.

Al-Suwaidi: It reflected the strength of the real estate sector in the emirate.

His Excellency Saeed Ghanem Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of the Representative Committee of the Real Estate Sector Business Group at SCCI, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of “ACRES”, said that “the exhibition reflects the strength of the real estate sector in Sharjah, and the wide options it offers to individual and institutional investors in terms of real estate. In addition, the exhibition reflects the position of the emirate as an attractive and distinguished investment destination, and a major commercial hub in the region, especially in light of its flexible legislation and the package of incentives and facilities offered for investors and buyers.”.

Workshops and sessions to educate the public about the investment opportunities

The exhibition also presented an integrated program of training courses, free workshops, and specialized discussion sessions in both Arabic and English, discussing various topics, such as the latest innovations and developments in the real estate sector, and the latest real estate technology systems that are of interest to workers and those interested in real estate affairs.

In addition, Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department presented a number of courses, discussion sessions, and workshops, the most important of which was the session titled “Real Estate Investment… Opportunities and Prospects”, which presented the great investment opportunities in the Sharjah, the government incentives, the support for foreign investment and ownership, and the reduction of buying fees for non-GCC citizens from (4%) to (2%) of the sale value. Other sessions also discussed the estate legislation regulating the market to preserve the rights of investors, such as the decision issued by the Executive Council of Sharjah No. (9) of 2022 regarding regulating the ownership and use of real estate by companies and institutions in the emirate, as it is the first legislation of its kind in the country that puts in a practical legal framework to manage all transactions related to the rights of ownership and usufruct of companies, institutions, and legal parties in Sharjah. In addition, there was a “Financial Management and Investment” course, and many other courses, workshops, and sessions aimed at educating the public and introducing them to the many investment opportunities in the emirate.

The Department of Town Planning and Survey offers electronic service of approving projects’ plans for real estate developers

As part of its annual participation in the activities of “ACRES”, the Department of Town Planning and Survey in Sharjah organized a workshop to present the electronic service of approving projects’ plans for real estate developers. The workshop aim, which was presented by Eng. Lana Youssef, was to clarify the procedures for both real estate developers and consultants, in order to facilitate the work and to reduce the period of time in obtaining the service.The new electronic service implements internal link between the departments’ sub-divisions to speed up the work, in addition external link with the authorities related to the approvals of real estate developers’ projects. Moreover, the service also provides a guide that includes all the requirements for applying for the project approval stages, to ensure speed and accuracy in carrying out the procedures.

The participation of the Department stems from its vision aimed at sustainable urban planning and competitive modern services, and in implementation of its ambitious plans to support workers and investors in the real estate sector,following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, may God protect him, to achieve sustainable development in Sharjah across all the fields.