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Sharjah's economy is centered on a solid trading base
dating back centuries. Its geographical location and
forward planning have helped to maintain a steady
growth in the economy. which is set to increase for
many years. Since oil was discovered in the early
1970's and gas shortly after, the government of
Sharjah has built an infrastructure of modern
facilities around which have developed many industrial
and trading enterprises, leaving Sharjah in a healthy
and positive position today.
Sharjah is a modern city with multi lane highway links
to all Emirates, a good utility system and will soon
have a network of natural gas piped to all homes.
There are central government markets (souqs), a
thriving exhibition center and Sharjah is also on the
global sporting map as a venue for world class
cricket.
In 1997 there were over 800 industrial firms and over
11,000 trading enterprises located in Sharjah.
Sharjah's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 18.5
per cent in the past three years to Dh21.2 billion in
2000 with output in non-financial sectors rising by
6.9 per cent to Dh17.4 billion. . The annual
statistical book for 1998-2000 said the emirate's GDP
surged from Dh17.9 billion in 1998 to Dh21.5 billion
in 2000.
GDP of wholesale, retail trade and maintenance
services reached Dh2.7 billion in 2000, of water and
electricity Dh519 million, restaurant and
hotels Dh651 million, mining and quarrying Dh77
million, transport and storage Dh16 billion.
The government has sought to boost foreign investment
and trade in several ways, including the setting up of
the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (Saif
Zone) and the development of the Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA).
Sharjah Ports Authority with the three ports of Mina
Khalid and Hamriyah Port in the Gulf and Khor Fakkan
on the East Coast are all growing and have plans for
expansion.
Container volumes handled by Sharjah surged to a new
record in 2001 of 1.2 million TEUs. The twin ports of
Sharjah Container Terminal and Khor-fakkan Container
Terminal together recorded a 7.53 per cent rise over
the 2000 figure.
Sharjah International Airport managed by the
Department of Civil Aviation is located just 10
kilometers from the city center. In 1997 the airport
handled more than 1 million passengers. Its primary
concern is to provide passengers and clients with the
ultimate in comfort, safety, quality and service,
whilst maintaining a highly competitive price
structure. Complete refurbishment of the airport
services and facilities have been carried out to cope
with growing passenger traffic.
Agriculture, for two millennia has played an important
role in the economy, with almost 4,000 farms in the Al
Dhaid region alone growing a wide variety of produce,
from alfalfa greens for fodder to cabbages. Many farms
specialize in growing fruit such as the traditional
date and lime trees, strawberries and guava, mangoes,
oranges and grapefruit, to name a few. More than
75,000 tons of fruit and 40,000 tons of vegetables are
produced annually.
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