H. E. Dr. Ali Bin Abdulla Al Kaabi, ex-Minister of Labour UAE, expressed his pride and happiness for having a state-of-the-art international exhibition centre supported by all administrative and technical infrastructures in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. He said in a press statement that what he saw during his participation in or at the inauguration of various events in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is a clear evidence of the great efforts and supports of the wise leadership of the country aimed at continuing the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a pioneer in all sectors in general and the economical and tourism sectors in particular.

H. E. Dr. Al Kaabi added that the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is achieving many goals of the country and promoting Abu Dhabi's tourism and economy on an international level. Pointing to the two exhibitions recently held in Abu Dhabi, the world energy exhibition and Abu Dhabi Recruitment Show, H. E. Dr. Al Kaabi said that ADNEC is performing very distinctive services for the people of the UAE through scientific and cultural conferences and exhibitions.

Dr Al Kaabi said: ADNEC is an important centre playing its role in supporting the GNP of the Emirate, which is fulfilling the directives and thoughts of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and General H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed forces, aiming to diversify sources of national income. He stressed that Abu Dhabi Emirate has become able to diversify its sources of income especially by attracting a lot of international investments, through prevailing investment rules and regulations that provided many opportunities for the investors in various fields.

His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman ADNEC: 

His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has said that the international reputation that Abu Dhabi has gained in various markets reflects the importance of the noble directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and General H. H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince  of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

In a press release on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre which was opened officially by the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan one year ago today, H. E. Sheikh Sultan said that ADNEC has been a great success and its achievements in the first full year of operation have exceeded all expectations.

H. E. Sheikh Sultan stated that ADNEC has been responsible for notable increases in both the number and the quality of events staged in Abu Dhabi; with the number of exhibitions increasing by 185% in 2007 compared with 2006. H. E. Sheikh Sultan said that this is remarkable progress when we take in to consideration that the second phase of the exhibition centre development will not be completed until autumn this year.

H. E. Sheikh Sultan said that Abu Dhabi is now ranked as the second most important destination in the Gulf region for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) industry and he expected that over the next year the events and conferences held at ADNEC will attract around 1.5 million visitors.

Concluding the statement H. E. Sheikh Sultan said that forty international exhibitions were staged at ADNEC during its first year, and preparations are being made to hold 60 major events in the second year. This increase reflects the international reputation which Abu Dhabi has gained in the exhibition industry for staging successful national and international events.

H. E. Ahmad Humaid Al Mazrouie, Managing Director ADNEC:

H. E. Ahmad Humaid Al Mazrouie, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (ADNEC) said on the occasion of the first anniversary of the official opening of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre that the centre witnessed various activities of exhibitions and conferences during the first year which placed the centre in a distinct position in a very short period. This was possible only with the limitless support of the wise leadership of the country, in the forefront, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who officially opened the exhibition center in February 2007, and General H. H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces who kindly offered patronage to various events held at the centre.

H. E. Al Mazrouei added that the follow-up of H. E. Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of ADNEC, has had a clear impact in achieving high level of success in the organization and hosting many important international conferences and exhibitions. This was reflected through huge international participations in the Center's activities during its first year of operation.

H. E. Al Mazroui also said that the center has also recorded a big increase in the number of exhibitions and conferences, where more than 40 international events were held at the Centre during the year, compared with 14 events held in the previous year. He pointed out that the center will be able to organize around 60 exhibitions and conferences in its second year and the second phase of the ADNEC expansion project will be completed by the end of November 2008.

Concluding the statement, Al Mazroui said that the exhibition industry has become a major source of income for many countries, where this industry is supporting national products, pointing out that the industry has attracted special attention, not only as a commercial sector, but also as a tourism sector.

Simon Horgan, CEO, ADNEC

"Today is a special day for us, as ADNEC celebrates significant milestones and successes over the past year. Our initial dream of creating the world's most modern exhibition centre has become a reality. Within a record eight month period, ADNEC has built a state-of-the-art exhibition venue and hosted several prestigious events to raise the centre's profile in the exhibition industry.

We thank all those for their invaluable contribution especially the ADNEC Board, ADNEC team, Foundation Partners and investors. ADNEC is truly grateful to all stakeholders that have provided support in some form since opening in February last year.

Although we celebrate the past today, ADNEC is even more excited about the future. This year, amongst more announcements, we will see developers break ground on Capital Centre soil and by November, upon completion of phase two, ADNEC will be the biggest exhibition centre in the Middle East. Ther

© ADNEC