The Sharjah Economic Development Department (Sedd) said there was a 12.4 per cent rise in the number of trading licenses it had issued and renewed in the Eastern Region, Kalba and Khorfakkan.

Total trading licences issued in the first half of 2008 went up to 2465 against 2194 for the same period last year, according to a Gulf News report.

“The Eastern Region, Kalba and Khorfakkan, is seeing a growing demand for issuing and renewing trading licenses in that part of the emirate, which is currently witnessing an economic boom in line with the record economic growth rates achieved throughout the emirate of Sharjah, and the UAE, in general,” said Ali bin Salem Al Mahmoud, Sedd’s general manager.