Sharjah: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in collaboration with the Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC), has extended an invitation to private sector companies across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to register for the Sharjah Gulf Localisation Award, a segment of the 2026 Sharjah Excellence Award.
According to Emirates News Agency, the SCCI organises this annual event under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. The Sharjah Excellence Award is designed to acknowledge excellence in institutional performance, with the localisation category specifically honouring companies committed to employing and developing national talent. This category evaluates companies on their ability to attract, train, and integrate nationals into executive, leadership, technical, and other roles.
In recent years, over 50 companies and institutions from sectors such as financial services, manufacturing, food, retail, and healthcare have participated. The award offers a unified evaluation framework, enabling participants to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and compare employment practices across the region.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI and Chairman of the award’s Board of Trustees, emphasized that the collaboration with FGCCC enhances the category’s regional impact and fosters the exchange of effective national talent development strategies. He noted that this initiative encourages companies to evaluate their readiness and performance in employing nationals, thereby supporting workforce effectiveness and competitiveness within GCC economies.
Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Rawas, Chairman of FGCCC and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), remarked that this cooperation underscores the coordination among GCC chambers on shared development priorities, highlighting national talent development and increased private sector participation as crucial for long-term economic competitiveness.
Nada Al Hajri, General Coordinator of the Sharjah Excellence Award, stated that the increasing participation in the Sharjah Gulf Localisation Award indicates a growing awareness within the GCC private sector of the strategic importance of investing in national talent and fostering sustainable workforce practices that enhance citizens’ participation across various professional fields.
Registration for the 2026 edition opened in July and will continue through January 2027. The programme also includes several other categories, such as the Sharjah Gulf Excellence Award, Sharjah Excellence Award, Sharjah Entrepreneurs Award, Sharjah Small and Medium Enterprises Award, Sharjah Social Responsibility Award, Sharjah Entrepreneurs with Disability Award, and Sharjah Best Security Standards Award.