The Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) has unveiled its results for 2023, showcasing remarkable growth and solidifying Dubai’s status as a global powerhouse for business and trade. By hosting a multitude of business and trade events, DWTC welcomed 2.47 million participants in 2023, a 25 percent increase compared to 2022. The number of business and consumer events the center hosted also saw a notable 23 percent year-on-year increase.
Diverse event calendar
DWTC’s robust events calendar, comprising 107 exhibitions, international association conventions and industry conferences, attracted 1.56 million attendees in 2023, marking a substantial 33 percent year-on-year increase. As many as 722,000 of the 1.56 million attendees came from overseas, marking a record-breaking 60 percent growth year-on-year.
Moreover, 53,789 exhibiting companies participated in those events, 78 percent of which were international. This further bolsters DWTC’s capacity to draw both new and repeat international participants. Moreover, it aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position Dubai among the top three global economic cities by 2033.
Commenting on the outstanding results, Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Center Authority, said: “Our results underscore the robust dynamics of the emirate’s thriving economy and strategic focus on key industry sectors. Dubai remains a frontrunner in the global events and exhibitions landscape, supported by DWTC’s leading role on the international stage.”
New highs for DWTC-organised events
In 2023, DWTC organized 20 exhibitions and events, attracting a staggering 519,000 attendees. This marks an impressive increase of 42 percent compared to 2022. Of these, 265,000 were international attendees, recording a massive jump of 108 percent year-on-year. In addition, DWTC’s events attracted over 17,000 exhibiting companies, a 45 percent year-on-year increase. Of these, over 13,000 were international, marking an impressive 68 percent increase.
Events like GITEX Global and Gulfood maintained their leadership positions in their respective sectors, experiencing notable growth in visitors by 44 percent and 31 percent, respectively.
The healthcare, medical and scientific sectors emerged as the top performing sector at DWTC in 2023, with 24 events that attracted 275,000 attendees. This represents one-fifth of all exhibitions and conventions the center held. The number of events in this sector grew from 18 in 2022, with total participation increasing by 29 percent. Key events included the UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC) and Arab Health.
DXB LIVE
In 2023, DXB LIVE, the experiential agency of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), demonstrated remarkable expansion. It managed 500 events. Moreover, DXB LIVE was the primary contractor for 65 exhibitions. This includes flagship events like Gulfood, GITEX Global, GISEC, CABSAT, and the Dubai International Boat Show.
The agency also built 300 exhibition stands, collectively spanning over 145,000 square meters, a 100 percent increase compared to 2022. DXB LIVE produced exhibition stands in Barcelona, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Riyadh, Marrakech and Hisar in India.
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DWTC Free Zone
DWTC Authority Free Zone, Dubai’s leading driver of global competitiveness, issued 601 new licenses. This brought the total number of licensed companies within the free zone to 1,900. This achievement underscores its pivotal role in driving economic growth and entrepreneurship.
Moreover, DWTC’s real estate and asset management business showcased robust performance in 2023. One Central, DWTC’s flagship development, recorded an impressive 95 percent occupancy rate, solidifying DWTC’s position as a highly sought-after destination fro growth and innovation within DWTC’s Free Zone.
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