SCCI Evaluation Committee Successfully Concludes Evaluation And Field Visits Phase Of Sharjah Economic Excellence Award

Awards committee to submit evaluation report to Chamber for review as annual award continues to inspire private sector to adopt benchmark trade practices and global quality standards

The General Secretariat of the Sharjah Economic Excellence Award (SEEA) has announced the successful conclusion of the scheduled field visits to the different business establishments that have been nominated for SEEA 2009. The inspections are part of the award’s strict evaluation process and were conducted by select members of the SEEA Evaluation Committee. Results of the evaluation will now be compiled by the evaluating group and will be submitted to the SEEA Board of Trustees for final review. Winners of this year’s edition of the SEEA will be selected during the third and last phase of the award’s evaluation process and will be announced during an awards ceremony to be held by the end of this month. The successful conclusion of field visits and evaluation of this year’s nominees reflects the SEEA’s unwavering commitment towards the adoption of more international quality standards and benchmark trade practices to boost economic activity and bring the emirate one step closer to its goal of achieving total sustainable development.

The inspections were conducted in accordance with set nomination and selection standards and guidelines. Each visit included a thorough inspection of the nominated establishment’s facilities; a meeting with the assigned General Manager and a review of the adopted benchmark trade practices. The evaluation committee’s assessments are based on key operational aspects such as leadership, strategic planning, customer and staff satisfaction, HR management efficiency and the nominated company’s efforts in adopting and implementing CSR based programs. This year’s edition of the SEEA featured major changes in the evaluation and documentation process and complements the vision of H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council, which calls for the development of a rich economic environment in Sharjah.

Nada Al Hajiri, SEEA General Coordinator, said, “The scheduled field visits of this year’s batch of SEEA nominees is an integral part in the evaluation process of the awards and is also regarded as a key process before the final winners are determined. SEEA 2009 has adopted additional standards and evaluation conditions for special categories such as the ‘National Youth Projects’ category and the ‘Businesswomen Projects’ category. Moreover, the evaluation committee will now compile all assessments and evaluations in a special report that will be submitted to the SEEA Board of Trustees headed by SCCI Chairman Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa. We look forward to the announcement of winners, which will take place at an awards ceremony at the end of the month.”

The SEEA aims to encourage the local business sector to adopt and implement benchmark trade practices to help in the collective effort to develop Sharjah and package it as an ideal investment venue. The award was originally launched in 1990 under the name “Best Exporters Award”, which aimed at motivating porters to develop unique mechanisms to increase their activities. The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), which organizes the annual awards, improved the criterion of the awards and expanded the scope of participation. The award was renamed to “Elites Awards” in 1995 and renamed again to “Sharjah Economic Excellence Award” in 2001 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

Recipients of this year’s award will receive a free and independent performance assessment from specialized experts, to be accompanied with a feedback report highlighting success areas and key points where improvements can be achieved. Other benefits include free advertisement in a trade magazine and the Award’s website; one-year free participation in SCCI’s foreign exhibitions; inclusion in the VIP firms list of all government departments of Sharjah; the use of special facilities in World Trade Club, Sharjah TV and Expo Center Sharjah. The SCCI will also provide media and marketing based activities for the winning firm and will allow the use of the final stage logo for three years. New incentives being introduced for winners of this year’s award is the exemption from Chamber’s annual renewal fees and the free use of the SCCI headquarters hall to organise conferences and meetings.
 

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