Dubai’s exhibition industry seems to be unaffected by international events, with contracted space growing by 20 percent in the last six months, Mohammed Al-Abbar, director general of the Department of Economic Development at the Government of Dubai, revealed at the opening of Chemtex & Corrosion Middle East 2002.
During a tour of the exhibition—the Middle East show for the chemical, petrochemical, chemical process technology, corrosion control and management industries—Al-Abbar predicted the sector would grow further as a result of increased globalization.
“Dubai will remain the hub for the region’s exhibition industry, despite mounting competition from other countries, due to the high quality infrastructure and facilities we have to offer,” Al-Abbar said. Al-Abbar praised the role of specialist trade shows in bringing exhibitors and visitors to Dubai and boosting the emirate’s travel and hospitality sectors.
Al-Abbar confirmed Dubai is reviewing the exhibition and conference industries, with the aim of ensuring the emirate retains its regional market leading position. “The study should be completed and ready for implementation within three months. One area we are looking at is how exhibitions and conferences are regulated,” he said. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
