Latest news with #DubaiWorldTradeCentre
Arabian Business
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
GITEX expansion to Europe, Asia boosts Dubai's geoeconomic standing, says event chief
Dubai's flagship technology exhibition GITEX is expanding globally to position the UAE as a bridge between disparate tech ecosystems and enhance its geo-economic influence, the event's chief executive said. 'This geo-economic positioning is very powerful, and GITEX can definitely do a lot to position Dubai and the UAE at that intersection,' Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of Kaoun International and Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre, told Arabian Business at the inaugural GITEX Europe in Berlin. She said the global expansion of GITEX beyond its Dubai origins serves a mission that extends far beyond traditional trade shows. 'At the end of the day, we carry the main mission and the vision of Dubai and the UAE,' she added. 'We are a platform that will influence, have good outcomes for as many countries and peoples of the world, as much as possible.' GITEX, which began in 1981 as a modest trade show in Dubai, has evolved into one of the world's largest technology events. The Dubai edition attracted 200,000 attendees from over 180 countries in 2024, with 6,500 exhibiting companies. The event has now launched international editions in Morocco, Singapore, Nigeria and Germany, with GITEX Europe making its debut in Berlin this week. LohMirmand said the decision to launch in Europe, and Berlin specifically, was driven by the region's strength in deep tech and scientific research. 'When it comes to innovation and especially deep tech, AI, Europe leads in its own capacity,' she said. 'In order to be able to innovate and invent frontier technologies that is going to really solve some of the world's toughest challenges, you need to leverage deep research.' The Berlin launch followed two years of discussions with the German state government, she said. 'There was great interest from them, because they have heard how GITEX has evolved, sustained and thrive and has become that global ecosystem builder,' LohMirmand said. She described Berlin as an attractive venue due to its multicultural nature, similar to Dubai, and its position as Germany's capital where policy influence is possible. 'The ability to be able to co-create regulations the way forward' makes Berlin strategically important, she said. LohMirmand positioned GITEX's expansion as reflecting broader UAE ambitions, comparing it to the country's AI strategy which involves multiple international agreements. 'GITEX mirrors what the UAE ventures in AI. It has got multiple agreements with so many different countries, from very established nations to emerging economies,' she said, adding that the event's expansion serve to 'enlarge global ecosystems' rather than simply create events. 'With AI growing at the blistering pace, you can't not be connected with the global – and very disparate – ecosystem,' she said.
Dubai Eye
21-05-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
UAE drives global tech dialogue at inaugural GITEX Europe
The first-ever GITEX Europe, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre, has officially opened in Berlin. Leading the UAE's presence is a high-level delegation of over 65 organisations, headed by Alia Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, making it one of the largest digital investment and innovation delegations at the event. Hosted at Messe Berlin from May 21 to 23, GITEX Europe brings together more than 1,400 tech enterprises, startups and SMEs, alongside 600 investors and 500 speakers from over 100 countries. The programme explores cutting-edge themes including AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, quantum tech and green innovation. The UAE and Dubai are using the platform to strengthen global tech partnerships, drive innovation, and help shape the future of sustainable digital growth. The first-ever GITEX Europe, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre, has officially opened in Europe's largest economy and one of its boldest startup capitals, Berlin. Leading the charge: 65+ UAE organisations—one of the largest entrepreneurship and digital investment… — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) May 21, 2025
Al Etihad
11-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
How large-scale global events powered DWTC's record economic performance
11 May 2025 20:07 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Behind the Dubai World Trade Centre's (DWTC) record economic performance in 2024 was a surge in large-scale international events, with the hub hosting 100 such events and drawing more than two million attendees, a senior official of the centre told Aletihad. International participation remained a key growth driver as the 2024 figures jumped 32% from the numbers in 2023, Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President at DWTC, said in a recent DWTC delivered its strongest economic performance to date in 2024, generating Dh22.35 billion in total economic output, according to its latest Economic Impact Assessment numbers are fully aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position the emirate among the world's top three cities for business and tourism by 2033."We have sharpened our strategic focus to scale impact and enhance global competitiveness," Julfar report found that overseas visitors totalled 936,083, representing 46% of all attendees."This segment had a significant impact, with each international delegate spending nearly six times more per event than local participants – Dh9,833 versus Dh1,673 per event – significantly boosting local businesses."The report also highlighted the cascading economic impact of DWTC events across multiple sectors. Business entertainment spending rose 36%, retail by 34%, and food and beverage by 30%."In total, every Dh1 spent at an event held at DWTC generated Dh7.70 in wider citywide economic output," Julfar said. High-Growth Sectors The healthcare, food and hospitality, and information technology sectors collectively contributed 58% of the total Gross Value Added to Dubai's economy from events held at DWTC, according to noted that the healthcare and MedTech alone generated Dh3.68 billion in GVA from 21 events and 460,858 attendees, 71% of whom were international and hospitality followed with Dh2.35 billion in economic value from nine events and 55% overseas technology contributed Dh1.55 billion in GVA from five events, attracting attendees with the longest average stay of 6.12 days, highlighting Dubai's growing status as a tech innovation noted that the exhibition format continues to demonstrate the highest economic impact, with 72 exhibitions contributing 89% of the total GVA."Mega-events with over 30,000 attendees were particularly impactful, with just 15 such events responsible for 66% of the Gross Value Added.""These patterns indicate that the future of Dubai's MICE industry lies in developing domain specialisation in high-growth sectors while concentrating resources on large-scale international exhibitions," he said. Collaborative Growth Model Julfar stressed that DWTC operates within an integrated ecosystem that brings together government entities and private sector partners to maximise economic impact across multiple include the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, the Department of Economy and Tourism, the Roads and Transport Authority, and the Dubai Police."This includes implementing comprehensive operational and security measures to ensure a smooth and secure citywide experience for exhibitors and visitors during large-scale events," Julfar said."This collaborative model not only ensures operational excellence but also drives meaningful cross-sector impact."The report demonstrates how adjacent industries have benefitted from this approach with significant growth recorded in hotel accommodation (Dh3.41 billion, up 15%), retail trade (Dh2.64 billion, up 34%), restaurants and F&B (Dh2.23 billion, up 30%), and transport (Dh2.86 billion, up 8%)."DWTC's impact lies not just in hosting events, but in creating platforms that connect global businesses, drive trade, and foster innovation, all while reinforcing Dubai's position as a resilient, future-ready economy built on partnership and collaboration," Julfar said. Vision 2033: Dh54 Billion Target Looking ahead, DWTC aims to nearly triple its economic contribution to Dh54 billion annually by 2033, up from Dh18 billion in 2023."Central to this evolution is our Dh10 billion expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), designed to double our venue capacity and host larger, more complex international events. The expanded infrastructure will allow us to support the growing scale and sophistication of mega-events, while accommodating new demand from emerging markets," Julfar also plans to deepen its international outreach to high-growth markets beyond the MENA region, such as Asia-Pacific, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. "Backed by strong infrastructure, data-led decision-making, and a commitment to innovation, we will continue to enhance our venue capabilities, strengthen international partnerships, and align with Dubai's Economic Agenda, positioning DWTC at the heart of Dubai's ambition to become a leading global destination for business, innovation, and economic opportunity," Julfar added.
Tahawul Tech
28-04-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
AI dominates discussions at GITEX ASIA x Ai Everything Singapore
Following a critically acclaimed opening day where capacity crowds examined Asia's tech revolution and innovation leadership, GITEX ASIA x Ai Everything Singapore again showcased the region's digital transformation trajectory on an action-packed event programme where AI dominated the in-depth discussions. Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and KAOUN International in affiliation with GITEX GLOBAL, the Asian inaugural edition of the world's largest show is running at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from April 23-25. Under the theme 'Advancing Bold Partnerships in Asia', the region's largest inaugural tech, startup, and digital investments event welcomes 700+ enterprises and award-winning startups from 20+ industry sectors and 70+ countries alongside 400+ global expert speakers and 250+ leading investors. With PwC projecting AI could potentially contribute as much as US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and IDC anticipating the technology will yield an Asia-Pacific (APAC) economic impact exceeding US$1.6 trillion by 2028, the day two proceedings thrust the region's AI revolution into the spotlight. Across a series of high-profile panels and debates, various industry-specific conversations enforced the view that AI is a launchpad for transformative, cross-sector AI-powered progress. Revolutionising a US$107 Billion Regional Industry Valued at US$107 billion by Inkwood Research, the APAC gaming sector today reigns supreme as the world's largest and fastest-growing gaming market. Alongside digital penetration, a tech-savvy population, and the rise of esports, AI has emerged as a primary catalyst revolutionising the sector while cementing APACs status as a global innovation hub for AI-driven gaming advancements. Michael Spanger, President of SONY AI in Japan, discussed how AI is propelling Sony's mission to elevate and unleash human imagination and creativity. Addressing audiences, he revealed: 'When it comes to AI in gaming, we want to support creators. Entertainment is ultimately about humans selling stories to other humans through technology – and the consumer-creator connection will always remain. AI is enhancing creativity, accelerating industry progression, and opening up new ways of thinking about what's possible. We are recreating immersive, engaging, and extremely realistic gaming experiences – and we're working with groundbreaking technology that empowers creators and is accessible globally'. 'A Unique Opportunity to Redesign Financial Services' Alongside gaming, another of Asia's most prominent industries undergoing profound digital transformation is financial services as AI broadens horizons to enhanced efficiency, innovation, and customer-centric services. Boston Consulting Group recently revealed that APAC region's financial wealth could rise by almost 30% by 2028 – with GenAI identified as a primary enabler for improved operational efficiencies and client experiences. Discussing AI-related possibilities and potential in financial services, Shayan Hazir, Chief Digital Officer, Asia (xHK) & MENAT, HSBC Singapore, said: 'Each revolution has added significantly to the global GDP and driven new business models. We must be open to what's coming because there's a unique opportunity to redesign financial services. We're a regulated industry, and we've built our protocols on the back of strong governance and perhaps a lack of creativity. If we start taking new technology and applying it to redesign, the human transformation – embracing change and how we work – is key. AI is a part of this dimensional shift alongside blockchain, digital assets, and quantum computing'. GenAI: A US$110 Billion Game-changer With International Data Corporation forecasting that APAC AI and Gen AI investments could reach US$110 billion by 2028 alone, world-renowned AI experts also converged to discuss the technology and its influence and impact across the business world in due course. Among the most pressing discussion topics was whether AI is an unavoidable transformation of business models. Patrick Tammer, Senior Investment Director at SCALE AI, the Canadian Government's AI investment fund overseeing a US$125 million-plus AI innovation projects portfolio, shared his opinions, revealing: 'GenAI changed the landscape by making AI mainstream and unlocking the power of unstructured data for advanced analytics and prediction. Many business processes, especially in the service sector, rely heavily on unstructured data, making GenAI a game-changer. This trend will accelerate in the coming years. Virtually every industry will experience significant AI-driven disruption and transformation in the next decade with GenAI – and particularly AI agents – fundamentally reshaping service-based business models, such as consulting, marketing, and legal services'. Charting a Course to a Smart & Sustainable Future Elsewhere across GITEX ASIA x Ai Everything Singapore's highly lauded second day programme, numerous discussions centred around sustainability and humanity's path toward a greener future, including through smart city development and seamless emerging technologies integration. Amongst the many high-profile visitors who shared fascinating insights, projections, and perspectives was Peter Kmec, Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic for EU Recovery Plan and Knowledge Economy. During his address, Mr Kmec stressed the importance of maintaining human control over emerging technologies and ensuring no communities are left behind in the smart city era of tomorrow. He said: 'When it comes to smart cities, those we see in 2035 will be entirely different to those we see today because technological development is so fast and smart city structures and sustainability models are evolving. While combining physical infrastructure with the new technologies we need, it's most important to ensure that AI, IoT, and all other technologies are good servants – not good masters. It's the role of governments to bring the necessary pieces together and build smart societies alongside smart cities so that we don't create gaps between our urban and rural areas'. Tony Verb, Founding Partner & CEO of Carbonless Asia – an investment, innovation and knowledge platform launched to support the decarbonisation of Asia – also joined the discussions, adding: 'We remain behind from a Net Zero targets and achievements perspective. In this global economic and trade policy climate, we must unite to build on momentum and realise our intent to identify technology solutions that can deliver desired decarbonisation impact in a meaningful and commercially viable manner'. GITEX ASIA x Ai Everything Singapore presents a thrilling journey into technology's new frontiers through a world-class event and exhibition programme spanning 180+ hours of content and eight key themes, from AI, biotech, cloud, and cybersecurity to quantum, green tech, health tech, and smart cities. While hosting powerful debates surrounding the most pressing topics in tech, it stands as a three-day celebration of technological innovation, visionary collaboration, and universal digital ambition – welcoming renowned tech leaders, founders, investors, national digital agency officials, and regulators to examine first-hand the latest tech solutions revolutionising societies and industries. For more information, please visit Image Credit: GITEX ASIA
28-04-2025
- Business
DWTC Drives Dubai's Economic Growth with Record-Breaking Events in 2024
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) played a pivotal role in boosting Dubai's economy in 2024, contributing AED22.35 billion to the emirate's GDP through a dynamic slate of business events. With over 100 large-scale exhibitions, conventions, and conferences, DWTC not only exceeded its performance from the previous year but also solidified Dubai's standing as a leading global destination for business tourism. The 2024 Economic Impact Assessment revealed a 32% increase in the number of events hosted at DWTC, drawing over 2 million attendees. Of these, nearly 1 million were international visitors, highlighting Dubai's rising global prominence. The economic output generated by these events was substantial, with AED13.04 billion retained as Gross Value Added (GVA) to Dubai's GDP. DWTC's growth aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position the city among the world's top three destinations for business and leisure by 2033. The success of DWTC's large-scale events was underscored by a strong multiplier effect, with every AED1 spent at an event generating AED7.7 in broader economic output across sectors such as hospitality, transport, and retail. Key sectors such as Healthcare, Food and Hospitality, and Information Technology drove much of this growth, attracting significant international participation. The MENA region was the leading source of international attendees, further bolstering Dubai's role as a business bridge between East and West. With its continued investments in infrastructure, including the expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre, DWTC is poised to maintain its status as a major economic engine and a critical driver of Dubai's future growth. News Source: Emirates News Agency
