ABU DHABI, 12 May 2007 — Construction work on Phase 2 of the soon to become Middle East’s largest multipurpose exhibition center — Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) — has started recently. The AED580 million project will see the venue double in size, with inter-connected exhibition floor space totaling more than 55,000 square meters.

The exhibition center’s distinctive U-shape design will be achieved by constructing five additional exhibition halls, a multi-purpose hall with seating capacity for more than 5,000 people, 15 meeting rooms and two multi-story car parks with space for more than 8,000 vehicles.

Also incorporated in the design is an expansion of the visitor concourse, which will grow to 18,000 square meters to become the largest air-conditioned exhibition concourse in the world.

More than 5,000 skilled workers are employed in the expansion program, which is scheduled for completion in autumn 2008.

Simon Horgan, CEO, ADNEC said “the commencement of Phase 2 is an important milestone in the short history of ADNEC. Phase 1 provided Abu Dhabi with the most modern and flexible exhibition and conference venue in the world. The completion of Phase 2 next year will provide the city with one of the largest.”

Phase 1 of ADNEC was opened in February by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan. The venue has already hosted 10 major international exhibitions, accommodating more than 250,000 visitors from more than 100 countries.

The influx of new exhibitions being held at ADNEC is encouraging the growth of the exhibition industry in the UAE and is developing Abu Dhabi into a Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) hub of the region. It is predicted that by 2008, ADNEC will welcome more than one million visitors a year and will grow the exhibition industry in the UAE by more than 25 percent.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi wrapped up yesterday its two-day exhibition held at ADNEC — the “most modern exhibition facility in the world.”

and boasts 28,000 square meters of exhibition floor space over seven interconnected halls. The centre also includes two luxurious conference rooms, 16 meeting rooms and a 2,000 square meter food court.

The two-day Cityscape Abu Dhabi wrapped up on Thursday, amid the praise of both exhibitors and visitors who claimed that the event’s location in the UAE’s Capital City attracted high-net-worth visitors, resulting in a large volume of business transactions.

It is the first time the event has been held in Abu Dhabi, and more than 200 real estate, finance and consultancy companies exhibited projects worth $400 billion.

Commenting on the exhibition, Mark Goodchild, Cityscape Abu Dhabi Project Manager for show organizer, IIR (Middle East) said “we are absolutely delighted with the support of the real estate professionals of the region, and the huge turnout reflects a fantastic launch to the event. With the support of ADNEC and the Abu Dhabi Government, we are looking forward to Cityscape Abu Dhabi growing even larger to emulate the capital’s success.”

Cityscape Abu Dhabi was the 10th major exhibition to be held at ADNEC since its opening. The multi-purpose venue is the most modern exhibition facility in the world and boasts 28,000 square meters of exhibition floor space over seven interconnected halls. The centre also includes two luxurious conference rooms, 16 meeting rooms and a 2,000 square meter food court.

Simon Horgan, Chief Executive Officer, ADNEC, said “the feedback from the show has been extremely positive, and the overall success of Cityscape Abu Dhabi reflects the growing importance of the city as a major event destination. We have already confirmed more than 50 major exhibitions for 2008 and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors and exhibitors from all over the world to Abu Dhabi.”

The influx of new exhibitions being held at ADNEC is encouraging the growth of the exhibition industry in the UAE and is developing Abu Dhabi into a Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) hub of the region. It is predicted that by 2008, ADNEC will welcome more than one million visitors a year and will grow the exhibition industry in the UAE by more than 25 percent.