Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi holds meeting in UK Prime Minister's Office

London-Sharjah/Sharjah Media Centre: October 14, 2014 – His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre (SMC), held on Saturday 11th a meeting with the Government News Planner Robin Gordon-Farleigh in the UK Prime Minister’s Office as part of a series of meetings in Europe. 

The meeting in London, which was also attended by Osama Samra, Director of Sharjah Media Centre, discussed the key elements of the government grid that consist of strategy, message and systems, which was first introduced and implemented in the UK. The exchange evolved around the importance of the grid with its strategic contribution to the prime minister’s diary and the coordination and planning of government communication, and urged to underwrite the identification of risks and opportunities and build up smaller packages into substantial items.

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi discussed initiatives launched by SMC and looked into opportunities to enhance the significant role of government communication in Sharjah primarily through its government agenda. On this note, Sharjah Media Centre will be hosting Robin Gordon-Farleigh at the International Government Communication Forum, which is held on February 22-24, 2015. 

HE said: "We have seen great changes since the establishment of Sharjah Media Centre and the government communication programme. Up to date, we can say that since 2011, we have increased Sharjah’s presence in the media landscape by 40 per cent with a steady growth with each year.”

“To boost our mentions and presence in the global landscape, we are working on the implementation of the grid agenda, customised to the requirements of Sharjah and supporting its vision. The next phase is to implement the system we are working on in the form of practical steps that seek to develop the local government communication system and government agenda and we hope to launch the agenda towards the end of this year. ”

HE added: “Thanks to the support and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate is leading with its efforts in government communication. And with the involvement of its 50 authorities and with our strategic partnerships we are aiming to set an example for the region. We are keen to cooperate with experts and involve them through our initiatives that support sharing the rich contents and efforts of the emirate and develop our community.”

Samra, Director of Sharjah Media Centre, noted that the core of the grid is to set the emirate’s agenda and coordinate announcements across the government. He said: “It manages the news cycle and looks wider than just about Government activities.” 

Osama Samra added: “We are keen on providing government communication in a coordinated and planned manner to highlight the best of our emirate. We innovate in Sharjah through culture and education, that build the heart of our communication. ”