His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, affirmed that the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry organises many distinguished festivals and events across the emirate's cities, expressing his gratitude to the Chamber for all its initiatives.
His Highness noted that the Al Maleh and Sea Fishing Festival in Dibba Al Hisn and the Al Jashe and Sahnah Festival in Kalba are both forthcoming. He also revealed a project to establish a fish-drying factory in Kalba, announcing that production will begin next year, and declared two residential projects in Kalba city comprising two sea-reclamation extensions that will include a large number of buildings, giving those who wish to live on the coast the opportunity to do so.
The Ruler of Sharjah, speaking in a telephone call during the "Al Khatt Al Mubashir" programme, said: "The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry organises many beautiful and beneficial festivals and events. People are asking for additional things, and I will respond on the Chamber's behalf — all entities in the Emirate of Sharjah are active and delivering. The Chamber holds events such as the Dhaid Dates Festival and the Khor Fakkan Mango Festival.
"The Al Maleh and Sea Fishing Festival in Dibba Al Hisn will also be held on 27 August, and the Al Jashe and Sahnah Festival in Kalba on 24 September. We are dedicating Kalba to Al Jashe and Sahnah because work is currently under way to build a factory in the city specialising in fish drying by scientific methods, and it will begin production next year, God willing."
His Highness continued: "We thank the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry for donating these factories in Jabal Deem. The Chamber had planned to hold the Al Jashe and Sahnah Festival at its premises in Kalba.
"However, this did not happen because the site was not ready due to the presence of farms. We gave them another location next to Victoria School, which has a large yard where a large exhibition hall will be built to expand their site. As for the farms, we are not pressuring people — we simply ask them to move a little. God willing, the venue will be prepared and the festival will be held on 24 September. Work will also begin to expand the Chamber of Commerce premises in Khor Fakkan."
His Highness added: "Having completed the planning of Kalba city, I want to speak about the area on the coast. We cannot relocate the residents of this area to live among rocks or mountains, because their entire way of life is tied to the water and not to the stones. If a coastal dweller moves to the mountains he will wither, and if a mountain dweller moves to the coast he will be crushed.
"Therefore, we are expanding housing projects in Kalba so that those who wish to live by the sea can do so. We have created two sea-reclamation extensions to build two residential projects that will include a large number of buildings. The sea is protected from hurricanes by underwater breakwaters.
"The waves on the surface of the water also flow smoothly to the other side without returning, owing to plantings that prevent water from entering. God willing, these residences will be a beautiful addition to Kalba city. Development in the Emirate of Sharjah is, praise be to God, proceeding very rapidly and without disruption.
"Each area is being developed in a manner suited to its own character. Development of the Central Region has focused on agriculture and preserving the character of the desert without interference. Expansion is taking place in a dedicated area for the formation of cities.
"We also find that the neighbourhoods in the Central Region are spread out — in Al Madam, for instance, there is a ring road with villages, each village being a neighbourhood of the desert. We give each place its own distinctive character."
His Highness concluded: "We say to the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry: thank you for everything you provide. Our appointment, God willing, is on 24 September in Kalba for the Al Jashe and Sahnah Festival. We say to Kalba city: congratulations on all these projects. Work on developing the sewage system is accelerating, so that we can proceed with paving and adding beautiful trees."