A UAE newspaper has said that every city has a definitive pulse that reflects its history, ethos and spirit, noting that Sharjah has become synonymous with heritage and culture.

"With Wednesday’s launch of two major projects, the Aljada residential project costing AED24 billion and the Al Mamsha project costing AED3 billion, the emirate is now well poised to become an international centre of culture, business and tourism that is recognised at various international events," said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Friday.

As Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority Khalid Jassim Al Midfa pointed out, the projects reflect the wise vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the unique lifestyle made possible by these projects would become an important addition to the tourism services offered by the emirate.

"Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the UAE, and also has the highest development rate," added the English language daily.

The paper continued, "All development activities in Sharjah are mandated to follow sustainable development practices. The launching of the Bee’ah initiative in 2007 by the emirate is considered a huge step in the quest for a healthier environment.

"Sharjah has always followed a tradition of respect for nature. The government has pushed for increase in greenery areas in the emirate that will not only provide recreational areas for families, but will also help reduce the environmental footprint.

"Thanks to its various attractions, the emirate draws a huge number of visitors from around the world, especially those from Europe and neighbouring Gulf countries. The Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 aims to increase the number of visiting tourists to 10 million by 2021.

"There can be no doubt that the latest projects will promote the vital sectors, most notably tourism, by including residential, commercial, entertainment and sporting facilities, which will enable the emirate to keep pace with the demands of modern living and will make it a much-favoured destination for local and international visitors," concluded the Sharjah-based daily.