Make it in the Emirates 2026: Sharjah Surpasses AED 1.6 Billion Industrial Investment Across 31 Projects in 2025

Industrial investment into Sharjah has crossed AED3.51 billion across 99 projects over the past five years, including AED1.6 billion from 31 projects in 2025 alone, according to fDi Markets data from the Financial Times.

The figures were announced by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) at Make it in the Emirates 2026, which is currently underway in Abu Dhabi from May 4-7, where the emirate presented its industrial ecosystem.

Sharjah accounts for around 40% of the UAE’s total industrial establishments, with more than 2,800 factories across 21 industrial zones.

The Sharjah pavilion featured entities including the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), Gulftainer, Al Rabwa Group, Al Rasikhoon Real Estate, and the Sharjah Investors Services Center (SAEED), reflecting coordination across the emirate’s economic ecosystem and support for all stages of industrial development.

Commenting on the participation, H.E. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, said the emirate’s industrial ecosystem is built for long-term competitiveness, with infrastructure, regulation and market access aligned to support manufacturing growth. He added that platforms such as Make it in the Emirates allow Sharjah to demonstrate its role in advancing the UAE’s industrial ambitions while offering investors a stable and scalable environment.

“The scale of activity we are seeing today, from new project inflows to rising industrial output and exports, is a direct outcome of this integrated approach,” he added. “Platforms such as Make it in the Emirates are important because they allow us to demonstrate how Sharjah is not only contributing to the UAE’s industrial ambitions, but also offering investors a stable and scalable environment to establish, produce and expand with confidence.”

On her part, H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said: “Sharjah continues to advance its industrial sector, supported by a strong ecosystem that enables innovation and drives business growth across priority areas, including advanced manufacturing. At Sheraa, we guide startups to develop practical, industry-relevant solutions and connect them with a robust network of enablers, helping translate innovation into real-world applications that enhance efficiency and competitiveness. This is part of our broader efforts to support founders in building scalable startups within strategic sectors that contribute to economic growth.”

H.E. Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SPARK, said the entity’s participation focuses on integrating advanced technologies into industry and enabling partnerships that support technology transfer. He added that SPARK will introduce new investment packages and showcase applied industrial innovation models based on collaboration between government, private sector, and academia.

“Keeping trade moving is our responsibility,” added Farid Belbouab, Group CEO of Gulftainer. “At Gulftainer, we have built an integrated port and logistics ecosystem that enables UAE manufacturers to access global markets with speed and reliability. ‘Make it in the Emirates’ reflects a clear national ambition – and we are fully committed to enabling it on the ground.”

Meanwhile, Elie Naaman, CEO of Al Rabwa Real Estate, added that his company offers industrial plots with flexible ownership and streamlined processes, enabling faster setup for investors. “Recent developments, including the new trade corridor between Sharjah and Saudi Arabia, highlight growing logistics integration and its impact on demand,” he added. “Our participation in MIITE reflects our commitment to engaging with the market and supporting the UAE’s industrial growth.”

“Aligned with the UAE’s vision to develop the industrial sector and build a sustainable productive economy, our participation in “Make it in the Emirates” reflects our commitment to manufacturing, by providing industrial land that serves as a launchpad for factory owners and productive enterprises,” said Khalifa Sultan Bin Harib Almheiri, General Manager of Al Rasikhoon Real Estate, adding that the company offers integrated solutions in strategic locations, with freehold ownership for all nationalities and infrastructure ready for development.

Sharjah also highlighted investment opportunities across manufacturing, with exports reaching more than 120 countries.

Industrial activity continued to expand, with 532 licences issued in 2025, up 17% year-on-year, and 3,354 licences renewed, up 7%. Total licences reached 3,886, marking overall growth of 8%.

Industrial real estate transactions rose 88.7% in 2025 to AED 9.24 billion, compared with AED 4.9 billion in 2024, with 4,416 properties traded. Around 14 industrial developments are underway.