Sharjah Ramadan Festival 2008 Begins Tomorrow

Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry confirms participation of major establishments; businesses encouraged to avail of benefits as festival registration continues

The 19th Sharjah Ramadan Festival (SRF) starts tomorrow evening (Monday, September 1, 2008), ushering in 40 days of various marketing, promotional, cultural, social, religious, artistic, and healthcare-related events. These activities will be held across the emirate of Sharjah under the supervision of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and in collaboration with local government departments. Several private sector organisations, shopping centres and retail outlets have confirmed their participation in the Festival.

"This year’s Festival promises to surpass the achievements of previous editions in terms of participation, scope and attendance. The event will be the perfect platform for socialization, business and leisure, showcasing the vibrancy of our emirate. That is why we are urging other commercial establishments who have not yet joined SRF to avail of the many benefits it offers to participating outlets," said Al Mahmoudi, Director General, SCCI.

"SRF is a welcome contributor to local economic and business development. It serves as a strong motivator for private organisations and establishments to enhance their role in domestic commerce, as they are provided with various incentives by the local government," added Al Mahmoudi.

Participating outlets will be allowed to include special offers or reductions that should not exceed 70 per cent of the regular price. They will be allowed to advertise their promotions in local newspapers and other media using the festival logo. They will also be given free marketing collaterals such as posters and buntings and will receive the first 50 raffle coupons free of charge. Additional participation will earn outlets more coupons, but with the total not to exceed 150 pieces. Customers can drop their raffle entries in any one of 65 SRF drop boxes located inside selected outlets. Local courier company Empost will take charge of collecting the coupons on a daily basis.

"The Festival’s Higher Organizing Committee, chaired by H.E. Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, wants this year’s edition to be distinguished in terms of the nature and diversity of its events. The Committee has ensured that SRF 2008 includes new elements necessary to raise the Festival’s popularity and meet its goals. Organisers have particularly focused on offering comprehensive services to both participants and the public throughout the emirate," said Mohammed Ahmed Amin, Assistant Director General for Economic and International Affairs, SCCI.

Establishments included in the Festival will be asked to abide by a list of participation commitments and conditions, which include the payment of a minimal participation fee per door/outlet; a maximum of three doors; the posting of the Festival logo sticker on the main door; and the distribution of a raffle coupon for every AED 100 purchase. A Committee has been appointed to ensure compliance with these stipulations and the smooth running of the Festival.

"The total value of daily and weekly prizes offered by the Higher Organizing Committee, sponsors and retail outlets amounts to AED 11 million, including daily raffle draws and cash prizes worth AED 40,000. Other prizes include gift vouchers and products from Paris Gallery, tickets from Air Arabia, Nissan cars from Arabian Automobiles, prizes from ADNOC, tickets from Sharjah Museums Department and several spot prizes at shopping malls," concluded Amin.

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