Month-long Sharjah festival to target private sector retail growth

Dubai: Sharjah Spring Promotions (SSP) 2009 will see growth of 48 per cent this year in retail participation as it begins on January 15.

Running until February 25, the festival's main activities are entertainment events that will be held in gardens and parks in cooperation with the Municipality.

A Lamassat exhibition will be organised by the Family Development Centers in Al Qasba from January 15 to 30, and desert events will take place in the Al Badayer region in coordination with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.

There will also be special promotions held in various shopping centres, in addition to several beach activities. Other aspects of the yearly event will include displays along the Corniche of handicrafts made by families.

SSP 2009 will see 600 retail participants, a significant increase from the 405 last year, according to Hussain Mohammad Al Mahmoudi, director-general of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the promoters of SSP.

Competition

He said, "The festival aims to support the private sector by encouraging retail sales and creating a healthy competitive atmosphere between shopping centres and businesses.

"It also takes advantage of the tourist season, when Sharjah and the UAE in general receive numerous tourists from different countries, especially from the GCC."