Surat, November 22 : The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Gujarat Region organized a special series of two-day B2B meetings in Surat centered around the theme of expanding business in international markets through the UAE. This session was conducted in collaboration with The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) and the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone), Government of Sharjah. The event took place on November 20 and 21 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Marriott Hotel in Surat.
Prominent among the attendees was CA Mitish Modi, the Honorary Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce, who provided insights into the strategic advantages of the region. He explained that the Sharjah Free Zone possesses its own maritime area, which facilitates faster and more convenient exports. It was noted, as per agency report, that this is a complete free zone where almost all types of businesses are welcomed, with the exception of certain professionals such as Chartered Accountants and doctors.
During the meetings, extensive discussions were held regarding the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), ease of doing business, and various taxation-related points. It was emphasized that businesses utilizing the SAIF Zone derive significant benefits at both tax and operational levels. The two-day B2B meetings received an excellent response from industries across South Gujarat. The primary objective of this initiative was to encourage Indian companies to utilize the UAE as a global gateway to expand their reach into Africa, Europe, and other international markets.
The SAIF Zone, described as one of the most dynamic and investor-friendly free zones in the region, was presented as an excellent option for exports. This special series in Surat provided entrepreneurs with direct guidance from SAIF Zone representatives regarding business models, investment scope, operational support, and the setup process. Additionally, participants were informed about how to effectively leverage the benefits of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This agreement provides duty-free access to approximately 97 percent of Indian goods, thereby further strengthening India's reach into global markets.
