The Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq) is gearing up to participate in the 18th annual Arabian Travel Market, which will be held at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, chief executive of Shurooq, said that the Authority’s participation in the Arabian Travel Market is in line with its objective of promoting the emirate of Sharjah as a leading regional investment and tourism destination.

He added that the Authority uses such opportunities to promote the emirate’s tourist attractions, which are ranked among the UAE’s major tourism draws.

“The Arabian Travel Market presents an excellent platform to promote the existing investment opportunities in Sharjah’s tourism and sector, to introduce the emirate’s unique business and investment attractions, which make it an investment destination of choice within the region, to present current growth opportunities, and to strengthen cooperation with international delegations, with a particular focus on the economic, trade and investment sectors,” said Al Sarkal.

He explained that Shurooq will take advantage of the event to promote its tourism projects, including Al Qasba, the Sharjah Waterfront Development, and the Heart of Sharjah – the largest heritage and tourism project in the region – as well as a number of future projects.

He added that the Authority’s strategy is to develop tourism projects in Sharjah and highlight the investment opportunities available through the emirate’s unique tourism sites, along with a package of facilities and incentives provided to investors.

According to Al Sarkal, Shurooq will be meeting with a number of heads and members of delegations, as well as representatives of hotels and travel and tourism agencies, and investors to discuss new avenues of cooperation within the tourism sector, and to familiarise them with Shurooq’s current projects and the latest developments in the emirate of Sharjah, including the prominence of the tourism industry, which is one of the most encouraging and stimulating sectors for economic diversification and overall economic growth.

Shurooq was established in 2009 with the aim of achieving social, cultural, environmental and economic development on the basis of Sharjah’s distinct Arab and Islamic identity.

The Authority aims to encourage investment by adopting the best international standards in providing quality services that help attract investors from the region and the world. Its key mission is to provide necessary facilities and incentives, overcome obstacles facing investment activities in the emirate, evaluate tourism-related infrastructure projects, and put in place the necessary plans to complete such projects.

Arabian Travel Market takes place from May 2nd to 5th 2011.