UAE – Mubasher: Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company announced that the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and Al Ain Convention Centre (AACC), the UAE capital's leading event venues, have contributed AED 2.3 billion to the Abu Dhabi economy during the first half of 2019.

Accordingly, the company's cumulative economic impact increased to AED 34.3 billion since being established in 2005, according to ADNEC’s recent statement.

"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,” Noura Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, chairwoman of Adnec Group, commented.

She added that Adnec will continue to drive the diversification and growth of the emirate's economy as a central part of its strategy in a step to contribute to achieving the Abu Dhabi Plan and its Economic Vision 2030.

ADNEC’s direct and indirect contribution to the UAE capital's economy jumped by 45% during 2019, compared to 2018.

The significant increase comes due to the successful International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) that were held at ADNEC.

"The impressive number of events hosted by our venues in the first half of 2019 reinforces our position as a leading destination in the flourishing business tourism sector,” Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, CEO of ADNEC, said.

Al Dhaheri added that the company's direct and indirect contribution to Abu Dhabi's economy reaffirms the emirate’s mission of becoming the leading destination for national and international events.

“We are optimistic that we will also witness great success in the second half of this year, as we gear up to host more than 150 events and exhibitions,” Al Dhaheri concluded.