Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and Al Ain Convention centre (AACC) have together contributed AED2.3bn to Abu Dhabi’s economy in the first half of 2019 (H1 2019), according to a statement released by ADNEC yesterday. This takes the company’s total economic contribution to AED 34.3bn since its establishment in 2005.

According to the statement, “The company’s direct and indirect contribution to the UAE capital’s economy increased by 45% this year, compared to the same period in 2018.”

The increase can be attributed to two major events, namely the International Defence Exhibition and World Future Energy Summit held at ADNEC.

Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and ADNEC Group Chairperson was quoted as saying, “The UAE capital is leading the way in positioning itself as the region’s preferred business tourism hub and ADNEC’s H1 performance testifies to our concerted efforts to maintain this status.”

She added that this was in line with ADNEC’s priority to contribute to the Abu Dhabi Plan and the Economic Vision 2030.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC also spoke about the performance and said that the number of events hosted in the first half of this year were instrumental in positioning them as a leading destination in the business tourism sector.

Together ADNEC and AACC have hosted 29 exhibitions, 108 conferences and events, as well as 88 special events. This has generated around 12,502 jobs in business tourism related sectors in the first half of 2019. Hotels around the venues recorded 343,100 overnight visitors and both venues saw more than 1.5mn visitors from both the region and across the world. This marks an impressive rise to 79% visitors, compared to the first half of 2018, the statement added.

The company also added that it achieved 73% Emiratisation rate with Emirati women constituting 41% of the total national workforce and 86% Emiratis in senior management positions.