By Ramy Sameeh
Abu Dhabi-Mubasher: Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Co. (ADNEC) does not have plans to expand overseas, but seeks to strengthen its foothold locally, said CEO Humaid Al-Dhaheri.
On the sidelines of a press conference to release FY15 financials, Al-Dhaheri told Mubasher that his company aims to increase the number of its centres and exhibitions in Abu Dhabi.
In May 2008, ADNEC purchased ExCel London exhibition centre for $626.4 million, as part of efforts to diversify its investments.
Al-Dhaheri said ADNEC contributed nearly AED 3.43 billion to Abu Dhabi’s economy in 2015, a rise of 26% compared with AED 2.76 billion a year earlier.
The number of events hosted by ADNEC centres increased by 13% to 369 in 2015, compared with 327 in 2014, the CEO noted.
He added that the number of visitors grew by 13% to 1.8 million from 1.6 million, and the number of exhibitions rose remarkably after the addition of 12 new ones.
“We plan to increase the number of events this year, in addition to expanding and restructuring facilities in order to able to accommodate more regional and international events,” Al-Dhaheri said.
Translated by Abdul Maguid Aboshahla
