Sharjah Finance 5th Forum Enhances System Efficiency and Digital Transformation

Sharjah's Central Finance Department held its fifth financial forum, bringing together 250 government officials to showcase digital initiatives that are reshaping how the emirate manages its finances. The event highlighted new training programs, smart revenue systems, and automated procurement processes that position Sharjah as a leader in government financial management across the region.

The forum reflects Sharjah's broader push to modernize its financial operations through digital transformation. Government entities across the UAE have been investing heavily in financial technology to improve transparency and efficiency, with Sharjah emerging as a notable example of how traditional government finance can adapt to digital-first approaches.

Huda Al Yassi, who manages the financial system at Sharjah's Central Finance Department, said the strong attendance shows how seriously government institutions take financial reform. She explained that bringing different sectors together helps create better coordination and builds the kind of integrated financial vision that supports long-term sustainability.

The forum unveiled several key initiatives that matter for government finance professionals and technology vendors. Nasser Kashwani from the Financial Training Center announced a specialized diploma program for public finance leaders, designed to build local expertise. More significantly, he revealed plans to launch a Certified Management Accountant program in partnership with the US Institute of Management Accountants by 2026. This matters because it signals Sharjah's intent to meet international standards rather than just regional ones.

The event also covered updates to the Sharjah Social Security Fund's data systems. While this might sound routine, it's actually critical for protecting subscriber rights and ensuring legal compliance. These backend improvements often determine whether digital government services actually work when citizens need them.

Mira bin Huda Al Suwaidi presented the "Tahseel" smart system, which handles government revenue collection. The system relies on full automation to improve security and transparency while making procedures easier for both government staff and citizens. This type of revenue management system has become essential as governments try to reduce manual processes that create opportunities for errors or fraud.

The forum concluded with a case study from the Sharjah Museums Authority, which implemented an automated tender system. Maryam Salem Al Marzooqi explained how the system ensures transparency while speeding up procurement procedures and connecting them to the government's financial systems.

These developments matter because they show how mid-sized government entities can successfully implement financial technology without the massive budgets that larger cities typically require. For vendors in the government technology space, Sharjah's approach demonstrates demand for integrated systems that connect different government functions rather than standalone solutions.

The focus on local capacity building through international partnerships also suggests that regional governments are moving beyond simply buying foreign technology to developing internal expertise that can sustain and improve these systems over time.