Winners of the 2009 Sharjah Economic Excellence Award (SEEA) were honoured in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Al Qassimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, during an award ceremony held today (Wednesday, May 26, 2010) at the Sharjah Facility. The annual award aims to inspire Sharjah's diverse public sector to continue adopting benchmark trade practices and global quality standards as a means to create more economic activity and help the emirate achieve total sustainable development.
Also present during the ceremonies were Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman, SCCI; Hussein Mohammed Al Mahmoudi, Director General, SCCI; Nada Al Hajri, SEEA General Coordinator, SCCI; members of the SCCI Board of trustees; SCCI partners, members of the SEEA evaluation committee; previous SEEA winners and various representatives from both the private and public sector.
This year's winners include Air Arabia (Gold Category); Falcon Pack Industry (Large Enterprises Award for Industrial Category); Petrofac International Limited (Large Enterprises Award for Service Sector Category); The Baby Shop (Large Enterprises Award for Commercial Category); New Dr. Sunny Medical Centre, Prime Medical Center and One Day Surgical Hospital (Small Medium Enterprises-Service Sector Category); City Properties Real Estate (Small Medium Enterprises-Commercial Sector Category); Emirates Investments Group (Small Medium Enterprises-Financial Sector Category); Emirates Road Laundry and Ibtekar Training and Development Centre (Leading Business Category for Service Sector); Al Shamil Building Contracting Establishment, Top Speed Used Cars and Spare Parts (Leading Business Category for Commercial Sector); and IR laundry and R&D center (Leading Business Category for Service Sector). Special citations were also handed out to Arab Poultry Breeding and Production Company (TASSIL), Asia Exchange Centre, Deaifis Advocates and Legal Consultants, Azari Trading Establishment and Danat Khorfakkan Hotel Flats.
Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman, SCCI, said, "We are pleased to honour this year's winners of the Sharjah Economic Excellence Award. Through the years, the SEEA has encouraged businesses and enterprises to improve operations, systems and manpower skills. This year's winners are considered as leading business models that promote the adoption of benchmark trade practices and global quality standards. These winners complement the SCCI's continued strategy of recognizing creativity, promoting healthy competition and underlining the importance of organizational performance. Moreover, the SCCI reaffirms its commitment to support H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and his vision to improve and develop Sharjah as a premier investment area and tourist destination. We also continue to remain steadfast in our commitment to further develop the SEEA so that it can continue to be an inspiration for businesses and enterprises not only in Sharjah but for other emirates as well."
The standards adopted for the Sharjah Economic Excellence Award was developed and based on a fully integrated program aimed at recognizing the efforts of the private business sector towards Sharjah's continued economic growth. Last year's edition of the awards witnessed a change in award categories, which included the addition of the Gold category and the Medium and Small Enterprises category. Previous categories 'Youth projects' and businesswomen projects' were merged and renamed to "Leading business projects for male and female citizens" category.
SEEA 2009 adopted a premium set of standards, nomination methods, assessment mechanisms, and supportive programs, which were developed with the aim to provide an integrated program that can contribute in the efforts to promote development across the Emirate. One of the key messages being promoted in this year's edition of the SEEA is the creation of a new phase of excellence within Sharjah's business community under the leadership of a group of enterprises that represent a model for quality of performance and operational processes. This year's awards included categories divided according to the type and size of the enterprise and the economic sector that it belongs to (industrial, commercial, service, financial, and tourism sectors).
"We would like to thank the SEEA evaluation committee and the SCCI board of trustees for their dedication and commitment in conducting the award's various evaluation phases. I encourage you to continue with your efforts in promoting quality and excellent service. Your excellent judgment and assessment skills have contributed greatly by giving more value to the SEEA and its quest to achieve future goals," Al Midfa added.
During the awards ceremonies, a special film highlighting the different phases of this year's award was shown. After the presentation, H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi and H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa presented the awards and recognition letters to the winners. A special commemorative gift was later presented by the SCCI Chairman to the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah as a token of appreciation for his continuous efforts and support to the SCCI and the SEEA.
The event also honoured Saeed Obaid Al Jarwan, Second Vice Chairman, SCCI and member of the board of trustees, for his active contribution to develop the Sharjah business community and for his support extended to the award since it was launched in 1990. Al Jarwan previously served as the SCCI's General Manager for 20 years. Members of the SEEA evaluation committee were also recognized for their efforts in conducting the various evaluation phases of this year's award. The award ceremony was accompanied by a special exhibition showcasing the services and products of the winning enterprises. Also H.H Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi handed souvenirs to the main sponsors of SEEA 2009 Pierlite Middle East and to Gulf Tainer, the new Gold Category sponsor.
Nada Al Hajri, SEEA Coordinator, said, "Today's award ceremony is a culmination of the excellent efforts by both the SCCI and the SEEA committees. We are humbled with the presence and participation of H.H. Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. We congratulate this year's winners and hope that they will be inspiration for more business enterprises to participate in next year's edition of the awards. The SEEA remains true to its commitment of providing support and assistance to small and medium enterprises and the important role they play in supporting the national economy."
The SEEA aims to encourage the local business sector to adopt and implement benchmark trade practices to help in the collective effort to develop Sharjah and package it as an ideal investment venue. The award was originally launched in 1990 under the name "Best Exporters Award", which aimed at motivating porters to develop unique mechanisms to increase their activities. The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), which organizes the annual awards, improved the criterion of the awards and expanded the scope of participation. The award was renamed to "Elites Awards" in 1995 and renamed again to "Sharjah Economic Excellence Award" in 2001 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.
Recipients of this year's award will receive a free and independent performance assessment from specialized experts, to be accompanied with a feedback report highlighting success areas and key points where improvements can be achieved. Other benefits include free advertisement in a trade magazine and the Award's website; one-year free participation in SCCI's foreign exhibitions; inclusion in the VIP firms list of all government departments of Sharjah; the use of special facilities in World Trade Club, Sharjah TV and Expo Center Sharjah. The SCCI will also provide media and marketing based activities for the winning firm and will allow the use of the final stage logo for three years. Newer incentives being introduced for winners of this year's award is the exemption from Chamber's annual renewal fees and the free use of the SCCI headquarters hall to organise conferences and meetings.
