Dubai To Spend $10B to Enhance Its Events Sector

Dubai is set to significantly enhance its events sector with a substantial AED10 billion ($2.7 billion) expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai. This initiative, approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, aims to establish the DEC as the region's largest purpose-built indoor venue for events and exhibitions.

Aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the expansion is a strategic move to transform Expo City Dubai into a vibrant economic hub, propelled by international exhibitions and events. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the project's significance, stating that the enhanced DEC will not only become the largest indoor exhibition and events destination in the region but also set new global standards for industry excellence. He reiterated Dubai's commitment to solidifying its status as a global leader in the events and exhibitions sector and as a premier destination for major events.

The expansion is designed to double Dubai's capacity to host large-scale events, increasing from the current 300 to 600 annually by 2033. This growth is expected to elevate the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector's revenue to AED54 billion ($14.7 billion). The project will unfold in three phases:

• Phase 1: Scheduled for completion by 2026, this phase will expand the exhibition space to 140,000 square meters, more than doubling the current capacity of 58,000 square meters.

• Phase 2: Expected by 2028, this phase will further increase the total exhibition space to nearly 160,000 square meters, alongside improvements to supporting infrastructure, road networks, and the addition of multi-story parking facilities.

• Phase 3: Anticipated by 2031, the final phase will boost the total indoor exhibition space to 180,000 square meters, featuring 26 halls on a single contiguous level spanning 1.2 kilometers. This will enable the hosting of one mega event or up to 20 simultaneous smaller events. Additionally, this phase includes plans for a hotel with over 300 rooms, retail outlets, commercial offices, and an industrial kitchen to support integrated operations.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of the Board of the World Trade Centre Authority, highlighted that this expansion aligns with Dubai's evolution into a global hub of innovation and connectivity. He noted that the development is strategically planned to synchronize with the visionary goals of Expo City Dubai, the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, and the forthcoming expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, poised to become the world's largest upon full operation.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the World Trade Centre Authority, underscored the project's alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to triple the economic contribution of the MICE sector to AED54 billion annually by 2033. He emphasized that the expanded DEC will serve as a catalyst for the next phase of growth in the MICE industry, reinforcing Dubai's position as a preferred global hub for international exhibitions, conferences, and consumer events.

Upon completion, the DEC will be 1.5 times larger than the current Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, positioning it as the new home for mega exhibitions. This expansion is poised to significantly boost Dubai's events calendar, attract a diverse range of global events across various sectors, and further entrench the emirate's status as a leading international business and events destination.


Source: www.eventnewsdxb.com