On 16 August 2026, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced the launch of the 2026 Sharjah Excellence Award, an annual initiative under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. The award aims to honour businesses, institutions, and individuals who have achieved outstanding levels in organisational performance and innovation, while promoting a culture of quality and excellence in the business environment.
The registration for the award is open to all companies and institutions until the end of January 2027. The chamber encourages different private sector companies and the business community in the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to participate and take advantage of upcoming training workshops and awareness programmes that will accompany the evaluation phases, based on quality, innovation, institutional performance, and positive societal impact standards.
Awards Categories
The registration is based on an advanced global assessment model aligned with fourth-generation standards, covering a range of economic and developmental activities as well as social responsibility. The award categories include: the “Sharjah Gulf Localization Award,” “Sharjah Gulf Excellence Award,” “Sharjah Excellence Award,” “Sharjah Entrepreneurship Award,” “Sharjah Small and Medium Enterprises Award,” “Sharjah Social Responsibility Award,” “Sharjah Award for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities,” and “Sharjah Best Facility Compliant with Security Standards.”
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Institutional Excellence
The Excellence Award has a rich history of achievements, having served as a significant platform for sharing and assessing institutions from various sectors. Over the years, more than 800 participants have been involved, with over 650 evaluators contributing to the assessment process, alongside more than 80 jurors with specialised expertise. The award’s fields have expanded to include more than 30 sectors, reflecting its diversity, inclusivity of standards, and its role in supporting institutional excellence in the business environment.
Innovation and Sustainability
Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Chamber’s Board and Chairman of the Sharjah Excellence Award Board of Trustees, stated that the award continues to strengthen its position as a leading platform for enhancing the performance of private sector enterprises. By providing a comprehensive framework for institutions to measure their performance against global standards, it identifies development opportunities and enhances their capabilities for innovation and sustainability, keeping pace with the rapid changes in the business environment and preparing companies for the demands of the future economy.
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Al Owais added, “The chamber is committed to the continuous development of the award, aligning it with international best practices in institutional excellence and enhancing its developmental impact within the business community. This commitment supports the competitiveness of the private sector and encourages institutions to adopt a culture of continuous improvement, aiding in the achievement of sustainable economic development goals and establishing Sharjah as a leading centre for business and investment on both regional and international levels.”
Digital Transformation
According to Nida Al Hajri, General Coordinator of the Sharjah Excellence Award, the award strives to leverage digital solutions to provide a more efficient and easy participation experience, enhancing the registration and evaluation processes in line with the chamber’s commitment to developing the award framework according to global best practices. She emphasised that the procedures for application and registration have been simplified, allowing institutions to apply for the award easily through the website https://shjseen.ae/ar, by filling out the registration form, specifying the category of participation, attaching the required documents, including a copy of the valid business licence and membership certificate from the chamber for private sector establishments. The award office will review the applications and respond promptly, and upon meeting the requirements, the institution will receive a participation file for the chosen category to complete the nomination process within the specified deadlines.
The participation is open to various private sector establishments in the UAE within the award categories, with the exception of the Sharjah Excellence Award specifically designated for private sector establishments in the Emirate of Sharjah, and the Sharjah Gulf Excellence Award, the winners of which are nominated by the Award Board of Trustees. The Sharjah Social Responsibility Award is also designated for private sector establishments and public sector institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah. Interested participants are encouraged to register promptly.