Skeletal steel structures are rapidly taking shape at the home of the Dubai Exhibition Centre, a venue that will soon be the region’s largest for hosting exhibitions and events.
The National was given exclusive access to record the scale of construction at the Dh10 billion project in the Dubai South neighbourhood, which will be the venue for large events such as Gulf Food and Arab Health next year. Senior officials at Dubai World Trade Centre outlined how the space was linked to the emirate’s overall masterplan. The vast exhibition space will have a daily visitor capacity of more than 65,000 people by 2031 and will be the gateway to Expo City, the UAE’s planned first 15-minute pedestrian-friendly city.
Construction is on track for 140,000 square metres to be completed in the first phase of next year. This will allow big exhibitions that have expanded beyond the capacity of the Dubai World Trade Centre to be hosted across both venues, easing the pressure of Downtown traffic. The blueprint includes building residential units, a hotel, business parks and retail space.
Diego Cortese, vice president of venue commercial at Dubai World Trade Centre, said three mega exhibitions - Arab Health, Gulf Food and Gitex - had maxed out the space at DWTC and would be organised at the new DEC next year. "The location is the future of Dubai," he told The National. “We're not just building the largest exhibition centre in the region just to have the region’s largest exhibition centre, but really because this fits into the overall economic agenda of the city of Dubai."
At the site on Monday, about 1,000 workers were busy as steel frames and trusses were erected to set up the north and south halls. Workers in protective gear also prepared a service tunnel being built that will feed water and electricity into the building.
Sense of festivity
This is part of the overall road map announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, for the emirate to grow into a powerhouse in the exhibition sector.
“Over the next few years, the intention is to become a top international tourism and business destination in the world,” Mr Cortese said. “So, it's not just about having more events coming to Dubai, it's also about making sure we can offer the infrastructure for those which are taking place here to grow. Having both the World Trade Centre and DEC will help us reposition and increase space to attract international associations and congresses, which currently we struggle with finding the space to host.”
Events will span the city, lifting the congestion around the World Trade Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road. “For us the future of events is going to be activating both sides of the city at the same time,” Mr Cortese said. “We are very excited, we are in the middle of building the first phase of DEC that will be delivered in January 2026 when we will see the existing building more than double in size.
"The first event moving in will be Gulf Food in January 2026, that will run across both our venues. It will be shortly followed by Arab Health, rebranded as WHX, the World Health Expo, that will run simultaneously at DEC and the WHX lab will run in parallel at the World Trade Centre during the same week. The whole objective in those mega shows is to activate a sense of festivity. These events in 2026 will be followed by Gitex, that is also moving here to DEC.”
During Gitex, the plan is to use locations across Expo City Dubai for outdoor events, dinners and live shows.
Main gateway
Officials are planning spaces to serve the people who will live and work in the area. The community is already well connected, with a Metro station working since Expo 2020 located near Jebel Ali port, close to Al Maktoum International Airport and linked to the road network.
“The Dubai Exhibition Centre is considered one of the main gateways to Expo City,” said Amer Alfarsi, vice president of real estate development at Dubai World Trade Centre. “We have implemented a solid expansion plan. Our aim is to host more international events and to continue with the legacy from hosting Expo 2020 and Cop28. We would like to position Dubai as the global hub for exhibitions and international events.”
More than 2,200 residential units are ready at the Expo Village, a mall has been built, and there are plans to construct a hotel. “Surrounding the development we have different land banks and those are dedicated to mixed-use development,” Mr Alfarsi said. “We are considering building a hotel to service customers who visit the development.”
Unique space
The centre will provide a 1.2km stretch from north to south that can be used for a single event without any columns. It can also be split up into 26 halls with dedicated entrances to host simultaneous events. The plan is divided into three phases with 160,000 square metres to be delivered by 2028 and 180,000 square metres of exhibition spaces completed in the final phase.
“The Dubai Exhibition Centre, by 2031, will be the largest venue of its kind in the Mena region,” Mr Alfarsi said. “We will welcome more than 65,000 visitors on a single level supported with high-level amenities. We are expanding and doubling our events from 300 to 600. It is all due to creativity and innovative design that we can host one mega-event or more than 20 different events.”
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
Racecard
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
9.30pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Results
6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 I 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 I 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 I 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm The Entisar Listed I Dh250,000 I 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
9.25pm The Garhoud Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,200m I Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
10pm Handicap I Dh160,000 I 1,600m I Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
