Staff Reporter www.khaleejtimes.com
DUBAI – Several conferences, trade exhibitions and seminars will be held in Dubai, as a part of the DSF 2012 calendar of events, further enhancing Dubai’s image as a centre of excellence and a hub for international conventions, conferences and exhibitions.
Many of the key exhibitions are being hosted by Dubai World Trade Centre, a strategic partner of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment’s Events (DEPE) and Festivals for the Year 2012.
DEPE is an agency under the Department of Economic Development and organiser of Dubai Shopping Festival.
The conferences and exhibitions industry in the Middle East is worth Dh5 billion, according to reports published locally. The UAE has captured 50 per cent of the market in this sector, which helps boost the national economy by giving an impetus to other service sectors like aviation, hospitality, tourism, cargo and customs.
Meanwhile, Dubai is investing heavily in infrastructure development to further enhance its position as an international hub for conferences and exhibitions.
Work is currently underway at Dubai Exhibition City, which is being established on an area of 3million sqm at a cost of Dh8 billion. This mega project is set to become a new landmark in Dubai, and encourage international business houses and corporations to host their major conferences and exhibitions in the Emirate.
Suhaila Ghubash, Director, Events and Festival Marketing Services, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, said: “We are delighted that major conferences and exhibitions will be taking place in Dubai while the world’s spotlight is shining on the Dubai Shopping Festival.
“The organising of conferences and exhibitions is a specialised area and a growing sector, and Dubai with its multitude of world-class infrastructure and facilities is a natural choice when it comes to hosting international events in the region. In this regard, we at Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment will continue to extend our whole-hearted support to Dubai World Trade Centre in particular, and the conferences and exhibitions sector, in general, as a part of our long-standing mutually beneficial alliance.” Ghubash added:
Ahmed Al Khaja, Vice President, Venues, Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment are united by the common vision of strengthening Dubai’s position as a strategic location for hosting international conferences, events and exhibitions. Our sponsorship of DSF for 17 successive years is ample testimony of our commitment to support this international shopping and tourism extravaganza.
Events like the Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises and Eid in Dubai have contributed tremendously to boost Dubai’s position as a top destination for tourism, shopping and entertainment, as well as a venue for international conferences and exhibitions.” For the last 33 years, the Dubai World Trade Centre had been organising and hosting conventions, conferences, and exhibitions, and this has immensely helped Dubai become a venue of choice for holding such events, said Mr Khaja.
