Dubai reveals Middle East`s MICE potential to Frankfurt

A delegation from Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) of the United Arab Emirates has met with a group of leading business and civic dignitaries in Frankfurt, Dubai’s twin city in Germany. The delegation was  received in the historic Kaisersaal, or Emperor Hall, of Frankfurt City Hall, by Dr. Karlheinz Buhrmann, Leader of Frankfurt City Council.

The UAE ranks as Germany`s most important trade partner in the Arab World, with total trade volume between the two countries reaching AED 15,833 million in 2005, while imports from Germany were valued at AED 14,989 million and exports to Germany touched AED 79 million, with re-exports to Germany hitting AED 765 million that year.

The reception was held at the same time as Ambiente, the world’s largest consumer fair, and provided an opportunity to discuss areas of shared opportunity between two cities which are traditionally major hosts of exhibitions and conventions.

As part of the meeting, DWTC outlined plans for its USD 2.17 billion project, Dubai Exhibition World, which will serve as the regional home of the world’s largest and most prestigious events.

Offering 120,000 sq. metres of exhibition space in its first phase – and eventually expanding to 300,000 sq. metres – Dubai Exhibition World will provide one of the most advanced stages for major exhibitions and events.

During the meeting, DWTC held talks with a number of leading business groups, including Messe Frankfurt, one of Germany’s leading meetings and exhibitions groups, with a view to building upon their existing positive relationship.

Messe Frankfurt established a direct presence in Dubai in 2002 and already hosts 12 shows at Dubai World Trade Centre venues. Messe Frankfurt Dubai Shows have seen an increase of 43 percent in terms of German exhibiting companies from 2005 to 2006, and are supported by 12 official German associations.

“Germany and German companies have played a key role in the UAE’s success in the past few years, and – as Dubai sets ever-more ambitious targets – we are confident that this cooperation and shared achievement will continue,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre.

Michael von Zitzewitz, Chairman of the Board of Management, Messe Frankfurt, commented: “Globalization is not a vision for Messe Frankfurt – it is a working reality. We have a presence in more than 150 countries and our trade fairs attract a global audience of consumers and professionals, so working with a group like Dubai World Trade Centre – with all their experience in managing a venue in the world’s fastest-growing market – provides us with an important strategic advantage.”

The UAE is among the preferred tourism destinations for German tourists with figures showing that 450,000 tourists visited the Emirates in 2005. Based on current predictions, the number of German tourists travelling to Dubai could reach one million by 2012.

Frankfurt and Dubai became twin cities in June 2005, agreeing a number of targets in the areas of trade and commerce, new technologies, tourism, medicine, urban planning, education, culture and sports.

The dedicated area surrounding Dubai Exhibition World will include a campus style office park, a major retail destination, eight international standard hotels, and a trade hub for international companies to permanently showcase their products.

It will be situated next to Dubai World Central, set to be the world’s biggest passenger and cargo airport, with an annual handling capacity of 120 million passengers.