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Mohammed picks Al Abbar to head Events Board

DUBAI — His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Saturday ordered the formation of the Dubai Events & Promotions Establishment (DEPE) Board of Directors with Emaar Properties Chairman Mohammed Ali Al Abbar as Chairman.

Shaikh Mohammed ordered Al Abbar to set up the board of directors comprising competent professionals from the public and private sectors whose expertise in promoting tourism, trade and festivals are unparalleled.

With aims to facilitate the DEPE’s mission to fully accomplish its goals, Shaikh Mohammed ordered the establishment to be exempt from paying the present fee of 10 per cent to government departments and entities associated with the DEPE’s activities. This, in turn, will alleviate the establishment of a financial burden and help it achieve its objective without financial or logistics hurdles.

In a related development, the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), the world’s leading events trade association, crowned Dubai as “IFEA World Festival and Event City 2012” in the cities category with a population of more than one million.

This is the second time Dubai won the award that is expected to boost its Expo2020 bid. Last year, the emirate won in the same category for the Middle East.

Senior representatives from the DEPE received the award on behalf of Dubai at a ceremony held this weekend in Denver, Colorado, USA. The DEPE, in collaboration with its strategic partners and its stakeholders from other Dubai Government offices, spearheaded the entry process on behalf of Dubai Government and submitted an exceptional application

Mohammed picks Al Abbar to head Events Board highlighting Dubai’s major events and festivals, their growth and success and their positive economic, cultural and social impact.

During his visit to DEPE headquarters, Shaikh Mohammed also ordered the adjustment of the annual budget for events and promotions to previous levels, which will give a boost to DEPE’s drive to promote Dubai as a global destination for a variety of festivals, events, shows and activities.

During his meeting with heads of government departments, Shaikh Mohammed emphasised the necessity to boost cooperation between Dubai government entities to augment Dubai’s drive in this field.

“I want you to exercise transparency and adopt teamwork to restore Dubai’s image, presence and leadership in hosting and organising exhibitions, tourist festivals, private art and music for children and families,” Shaikh Mohammed told officials at the meeting.

“There will be no obstacles anymore and you will perform your duties with flexibility and support from me personally. I do not want excuses in future because all the facilities are put in your hands, so commit yourselves to implement responsibilities diligently and faithfully to get to the desired goals and achieve good for our country, our people and our national institutions, and then contribute positively to stimulate tourism, trade and culture in the UAE in general in order to maintain a well-established reputation of our beloved country unshakeable in regional and international circles.”

He reiterated that the organisation of events in Dubai will coincide with official holidays in the UAE, neighbouring countries and the region to woo greater number of tourists and visitors of all ages in all seasons.

Accompanied by Deputy Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Mohammed listened to a briefing by DEPE Director General Laila Suhail on the establishment’s vision and future expansion plans to attract tourists and visitors to the UAE. The presentation also included DEPE’s role in supporting the national economy.