Imports of the emirate rose to Dh6.695 billion in 2002, compared to Dh5.844 billion in 2001, a growth of 15 per cent.

Exports rose to Dh1.264 billion in 2002, from Dh871.5 million in 2001, a 45 per cent growth.

The volume of re-export trade stood at Dh1.264 billion, compared to Dh2.925 billion in 2001, a growth of 22 per cent.

Despite natural obstacles, scarcity of water resources, salinity of available water reserves and poor agricultural land, the agricultural sector in Sharjah is given all support by the authorities. Agricultural production rose in value to Dh503,000 in 2002 as Sharjah has been keen on using modern and state-of-the-art methods to help the sector grow.

Sharjah has 40 per cent of the country’s industrial establishments. The number grew from 74 in 1974 to 1,133 in 2002.

Sharjah Municipality is the authorized body to grant construction and housing permissions. Its services include the revision of project plans and overseeing the implementation process.

Electricity production rose from 68.1 million kWh in 1982 to 578.9 million kWh in 2002. Energy consumption rose from 943 million kWh in 1982 to 4785 million kWh in 2002, an increase of 407.4 per cent between 1982 and 2002.

Consumers get the utilities at reasonable prices (electricity 17 fils per unit and water 3 fils per unit). Natural gas delivered by connection pipes to all areas of the emirate is a new service, with each unit sold for Dh1.25.