Sharjah, UAE, 16 October 2026: The ninth Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2026) has highlighted how artificial intelligence, tax compliance and investor protection can help businesses respond to changing market conditions. Held on 14 and 15 October under the theme “Building Adaptive Economies,” the forum featured discussions on AI-powered tax processes, supply-chain resilience and commercial dispute resolution.
One of the key announcements was the launch of Najm, an AI-powered investment agent introduced by Invest in Sharjah. The tool aims to help local and international investors explore industrial and commercial property options across the emirate.
Sharjah Introduces Najm AI Investment Agent
Najm is designed to help investors find property options that match their business needs and budgets. Its first phase focuses on industrial land, factories, warehouses and commercial property. The initiative brings together property information from platforms such as Bayut, Property Finder and Dubizzle.
To support the project, Invest in Sharjah signed memorandums of understanding with the Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey, Property Finder, and Bayut and Dubizzle.
The launch reflects a wider effort to make investment information easier to access. However, investors should still check property details, zoning rules, permits and costs before committing funds. Business setup consultancy and company formation services can help investors understand the steps involved in establishing a business and preparing for operations.
AI and UAE Tax Compliance in Focus
Another key session, “Investing in the UAE: How AI Simplifies Tax and Compliance,” was presented by the Mexican Business Council. It explored how AI tools designed around UAE tax legislation can help businesses verify supplier details, organise financial data and manage changing compliance requirements.
AI can support routine checks, but businesses should not rely on automated results alone. Professional review and accurate records remain important when preparing tax returns or checking whether a transaction meets the relevant rules.
Companies should review their corporate tax services needs and VAT compliance processes. They should also keep invoices, supplier records and supporting documents organised. Missing information or errors can create reporting problems, increase the time needed to correct filings and expose a business to compliance risks.
Supply-Chain Risks Require Better Planning
The forum also examined how AI and stronger organisational planning can help businesses prepare for supply-chain disruptions. A workshop led by Ali Almutawa of Shurooq focused on AI, organisational capabilities and supply-chain resilience.
Companies need to understand supplier reliability, possible delivery delays and the effect of disruption on stock, costs and customer commitments. Data analysis and forecasting can support planning, but they cannot remove every risk.
Businesses should review their key suppliers, assess potential weaknesses and keep clear purchasing records. Due diligence services can support checks on suppliers and commercial partners, while bookkeeping services can help companies maintain reliable records of purchases, payments and operating costs.
Investor Protection and Commercial Disputes
Investor protection was another major theme at SIF 2026. The Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre, known as Tahkeem, held a session on developing future arbitrators and supporting investment.
Contract disputes can affect payments, business relationships and daily operations. Companies should therefore review contract terms carefully and understand how disagreements will be handled. Where needed, they should seek legal advice on suitable dispute-resolution clauses before signing an agreement.
Clear financial records can also help businesses explain transactions and support reviews when disagreements arise. Auditing and assurance services can help businesses assess financial information and strengthen confidence in their reporting.
What Should Businesses Do Now?
The forum’s discussions offer practical lessons for investors, small and medium-sized enterprises and established companies. Businesses should review their tax records, verify supplier information, assess supply-chain risks and ensure that contracts clearly set out each party’s responsibilities.
Dubai Business and Tax Advisors (DBTA) supports businesses through corporate tax compliance, VAT services, bookkeeping, due diligence services and auditing and assurance. This support can help companies organise their financial records, review their reporting processes and understand their compliance responsibilities.
SIF 2026 has placed AI, business resilience and investor protection at the centre of its discussions. For UAE businesses, the practical priority is to use new tools carefully while maintaining accurate records, sound financial controls and professional oversight.
