The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has officially launched the 2026 edition of the Sharjah Excellence Award, renewing its drive to recognise businesses, entrepreneurs and institutions that demonstrate outstanding performance and contribute to a stronger business environment.
WEBDESK – ABDULLAH FARHAD – SHARJAH NEWS
The annual award is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. For the 2026 edition, eligible private-sector companies and entrepreneurs across the UAE and wider GCC are being encouraged to participate, with registration and final submissions open until the end of January 2027.
Focus on Quality, Innovation and Institutional Excellence
The award is designed to go beyond simply recognising successful businesses. Its assessment framework gives participating organisations an opportunity to evaluate their operations against advanced fourth-generation excellence standards.
Key areas include organisational performance, quality, innovation, sustainability and positive social and community impact. Participants will also benefit from awareness programmes, training workshops and development initiatives organised by SCCI throughout the evaluation process.
The approach is intended to help businesses identify areas requiring improvement, strengthen their internal capabilities and become more resilient as the regional and global business landscape continues to evolve.
Eight Award Categories Target Diverse Sectors
The 2026 edition features eight categories covering different aspects of economic and institutional performance.
These include the Sharjah Gulf Localisation Award, Sharjah Gulf Excellence Award, Sharjah Excellence Award, Sharjah Entrepreneurs Award, Sharjah Small and Medium Enterprises Award, Sharjah Social Responsibility Award, Sharjah Entrepreneurs with Disability Award, and Sharjah Best Security Standards Award.
The award’s broad structure allows companies of different sizes and operating models to compete in categories relevant to their achievements and areas of excellence. Its framework now extends across more than 30 industry categories, reflecting the diversity of Sharjah’s business community.
More Than 800 Participants Have Taken Part
The Sharjah Excellence Award has built a substantial track record since its establishment. Previous editions have attracted more than 800 participants, demonstrating the growing interest in structured business-performance recognition.
The evaluation process has involved a pool of more than 650 assessors, while over 80 experienced judges have participated in adjudicating submissions. Together, these figures underline the scale of the programme and its emphasis on professional and comprehensive evaluation.
SCCI Highlights the Award’s Strategic Role
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI and Chairman of the Sharjah Excellence Award’s Board of Trustees, said the initiative continues to provide the private sector with a platform to measure its performance against internationally recognised standards.
According to Al Owais, the framework enables organisations to identify strategic opportunities for improvement while strengthening innovation, sustainability and long-term competitiveness.
He also highlighted the importance of helping businesses adapt to rapid changes in the economy and develop greater organisational resilience.
Digital Registration Simplifies Participation
Nada Al Hajri, General Coordinator of the Sharjah Excellence Award, said the programme has continued to expand its use of digital solutions to make registration and evaluation more efficient.
Businesses can apply through the award’s official website by completing the online registration form, selecting the appropriate category and submitting the required documents. Private-sector applicants are required to provide a valid trade licence and SCCI membership certificate.
Following an eligibility review, successful applicants receive the relevant participation file and can proceed with the nomination process according to the established timeline.
A Platform for the Future of Business
With more than 800 participants, 650 assessors, 80 judges and 30 industry categories recorded across its history, the Sharjah Excellence Award has developed into a significant regional platform for measuring and promoting institutional excellence.
The 2026 edition now gives businesses across the UAE and GCC another opportunity to benchmark their performance, improve their practices and compete for recognition while preparing for the demands of an increasingly competitive future economy.
