Name:		H.E Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO
Company: Address:		Sharjah Investment and Development Authority-Shurooq Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Short Profile of the Person:
Born in Sharjah in 1979, Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal is considered one of the key leaders in Sharjah’s tourism industry growth. As the CEO of Al Qasba Development Authority since 2006, Al Sarkal has extensively led Al Qasba to become one of the major tourist destinations in UAE and has contributed effectively in driving more tourists from around the globe to the emirate of Sharjah. Most recently, Al Sarkal was named amongst Ahlan’s hot 100 list, which awards the top achievers in UAE every year.

A graduate holding a high diploma in accounting from Dubai Men’s College in 1999 and a bachelor degree in Applied Sciences in Business Administration, Marwan Al Sarkal initially worked for the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority in 1999 as a head of the Auditing Department. In 2003, he joined Dubai Shopping Festival and was assigned the post of Finance Manager and thereafter promoted as the Director of Finance and Administration in DSF in 2005.

Possessing a sharp understanding of the market and in-depth insight into the functioning of economies and international legalities and legislation, Al Sarkal has proven his mettle in quality, operations control and strategic planning. He is also credited with introducing policies and procedures that helped reinforce Al Qasba’s local and regional standing.

Al Sarkal believes that Sharjah is a highly dynamic city, and a place where people can find democracy, peace and community engagement. For him, UAE is a country where nothing is impossible and where development has become a continuous - fast moving trend which in turn shaped his responsibility to cope with this rapid change. Al Sarkal follows a life method based on dedication and loyalty to the job and owns a clear faith that life brings a lot of challenges which can be turned into valuable opportunities through organized leadership and team spirit.

As the CEO of Al Qasba Development Authority and CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and a Board Member of Sharjah Tourism and Development Authority in Sharjah, Al Sarkal has been instrumental in transforming Sharjah’s tourism scenario by ensuring a mix of entertaining and business venue powered by a team of highly dedicated members. Al Sarkal believes that dedicated human resources are key factors in the development of any organization and thus his vision towards working closely with employees is based on family environment rather than position hierarchy.

Short Profile of the Company:

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority "Shurooq" is an independent government body based in Al Qasba- Sharjah. Shurooq was established by Emiri Decree No. 2 of 2009, issued by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and is chaired by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, with Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal as CEO.
                                                       
Shurooq’s aim is to achieve social, cultural, environmental and economic development on the basis of Sharjah’s distinct Arab and Islamic identity, to create new investment opportunities within the emirate, and to encourage investment by adopting the best standards in providing services so as to attract investors.

The Authority’s key mission is to evaluate and follow up on tourism-related infrastructure projects, as well as to overcome obstacles facing investment activities in the emirate of Sharjah, and to provide all the possible facilities and incentives to help attract more investors to the emirate.

In line with its mission and aims, Shurooq plans to set up a comprehensive information centre and prepare a media plan that will encourage all types of investment by coordinating with all concerned bodies to release the necessary promotional materials.

Shurooq is also responsible for establishing new infrastructure projects, developing investment-related infrastructure projects, modernising already existing projects, and setting up special investment zones, as well as suggesting and drawing up investment-related legislation, investing in investment projects, and signing and concluding partnership agreements with similar bodies, both within and outside the emirate.

The Authority’s other responsibilities include working to attract local investors from the UAE and abroad, and cooperating with government bodies, departments and members of the community in developing the emirate as an investment destination in the UAE so as to boost its status both locally and internationally.

Shurooq’s current and future strategy aims to enhance integration and coordination between government organisations through application of the principles of governance and through allowing the free access to information and data.

The strategy also aims to upgrade the standard of professional works through the implementation of the principles of transparency and exchange of expertise, and by concluding agreements and memoranda of understanding that help increase the investment rates and economic activities within the emirate, while focusing on completing the economic structure within the framework of sustainable development and environmental friendliness, in line with international standards.

Shurooq is currently developing several landmark projects in Sharjah, and has already finalised the necessary plans to implement these projects in the near future.