Sharjah: Sharjah emirate has been the UAE's fastest-growing foreign direct investment (FDI) destination during the first half of 2025, translating record inward inflows into jobs, projects, and sustainable economic growth.
Capital investment increased to $1.5 billion in the first half of the year, a 361% jump from $325 million last year. Inflows financed 74 new projects, 57% more than 47 for H1 2024, and generated 2,578 fresh jobs, a 45% increase spearheaded by production and services sectors.
Authorities attribute the momentum to Sharjah's initiative of channeling investments into high-value, long-term sectors. Consumer goods, food and beverage, business services, and industrial equipment are major growth industries that are all supporting the emirate's pursuit of economic diversification.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, remarked the findings reinforce Sharjah's position as a safe and appealing investment hub in the hands of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.
Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, the CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said that increased investments translate to more jobs, healthier industries, and enduring value for communities. "The Sharjah FDI Office has played a pivotal role in connecting capital with our long-term vision for development, talent empowerment, and growth," he said.
Industry-specific numbers reflect solid increases:
Consumer products registered 53% growth in projects and 188% growth in capital investment.
Food and drink increased by 112% in project numbers, with employment up 25%.
Business services saw a 500% increase in capital investment and a 1,100% rise in jobs.
Industrial equipment doubled the number of projects, with investments rising 45%.
Sharjah free zones also contributed significantly. Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of HFZA and SAIF Zone, explained that record FDI further strengthened the emirate's position globally as an investor. Meanwhile, Sharjah's healthcare, publishing, research, and creative leaders pointed to the emirate's attractiveness in various sectors, ranging from AI-influenced healthcare to cultural centers.
Officials and specialists concur that the robust FDI trend in Sharjah places it among the most competitive investment environments in the region, blending flexibility, dependability, and human-centricity. The momentum is expected to propel infrastructure growth, enhance innovation, and further empower the emirate's global economic position in coming years.
