Sharjah Targets Diversified Investment Growth as FDI, AI and Advanced Industry Gain Momentum
Sharjah is expanding its economic base by attracting investment across manufacturing, technology, logistics, healthcare, food production and other emerging industries. The emirate is seeking to build a broader investment environment in which growth is supported by multiple sectors rather than being concentrated in a small number of industries.
According to Invest in Sharjah, the emirate attracted AED 7.74 billion in foreign direct investment across 142 projects in 2025. The number of FDI projects increased by 45 per cent compared with the previous year, while investment value rose by 8.8 per cent.
Food and beverage projects represented 28 per cent of FDI projects during 2025, followed by consumer products at 20 per cent. Investment also extended into manufacturing, industrial equipment, logistics, technology and other business activities.
Advanced Manufacturing Strengthens Sharjah's Investment Base
Manufacturing continues to play a central role in Sharjah's economic development. The emirate has an established industrial network that provides a base for companies looking to manufacture, distribute and export products from the UAE.
Invest in Sharjah reports that more than 2,800 factories operate across 21 industrial zones in the emirate. Sharjah also accounts for approximately 40 per cent of the UAE's industrial establishments, while products manufactured locally are exported to more than 120 countries.
The focus is increasingly shifting toward higher-value and technology-enabled production. Industrial automation, precision manufacturing, medical technology, clean technologies and advanced food production are among the areas offering potential for further investment.
The combination of existing manufacturing capacity, industrial infrastructure and international market access is also creating opportunities for companies looking to establish longer-term operations in the emirate.
AI Becomes Part of Sharjah's Economic Strategy
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly connected to Sharjah's wider economic and investment plans.
Rather than treating AI solely as a technology industry, Sharjah is looking at how advanced technologies can be applied across established sectors. Manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, sustainability and product development are among the areas where AI and other digital technologies can support businesses.
The emirate's research and innovation infrastructure is also helping connect technology development with commercial activity. Research institutions, universities and technology-focused economic zones provide companies with access to specialised talent and opportunities to develop and test new applications.
This approach could allow technology companies to work directly with established industries while supporting the wider digital transformation of Sharjah's economy.
Foreign Investment Comes From a Diverse Range of Markets
Sharjah's foreign investment base continues to include companies and investors from a wide range of international markets.
India, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States were among the important source markets for FDI projects in 2025. Sharjah is also paying greater attention to China, particularly for investment connected with advanced manufacturing, mobility, logistics and green technologies.
The broad investor base supports the emirate's objective of developing a more diversified economy. Attracting investment from different countries and sectors can also create wider connections between Sharjah-based companies and international markets.
For the emirate, the focus is not limited to bringing new investors into the market. Encouraging existing businesses to expand their operations and reinvest over the longer term is also becoming an important part of its investment strategy.
Sharjah Investment Forum to Focus on Adaptive Economies
Sharjah's investment priorities will be discussed at the Sharjah Investment Forum 2026, which is scheduled to take place on October 14 and 15.
This year's forum will focus on the theme “Building Adaptive Economies”, with attention on investment, technology, finance, sustainability, digital development and future economic opportunities.
The forum comes as governments and businesses across the region increasingly focus on how economies can respond to changes in technology, international trade and investment flows.
For Sharjah, developing an adaptable economy involves strengthening several areas at the same time, including industrial capacity, infrastructure, research, technology and human capital.
The emirate's investment strategy is therefore increasingly linked to the development of an ecosystem where manufacturing, technology, logistics and entrepreneurship can grow together.
As Sharjah continues to attract foreign capital and expand its industrial and technology base, the resulting economic activity could also support demand for industrial, commercial and logistics-related real estate across the emirate.
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