First phase of new Dubai World Trade Centre Plaza project on track to open this month

The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which operates the region's largest convention facilities, yesterday said the first stage of its new Trade Centre Plaza scheduled to open this month.

The new facility is being built on the existing car parking lot close to Shaikh Zayed Road just a short distance from the new DWTC Metro station.

The new plaza will host a mix of cafes and restaurants.

"This will provide additional entertainment for over a million DWTC visitors per year and it is forecast that 30 per cent of the visitors to the DWTC will arrive from the new DWTC Metro station via the new Trade Centre Plaza," a statement said yesterday.

The Trade Centre Plaza is a large open space between the DWTC Exhibition Gate the DWTC Metro station which can host outside events, exhibitions, and entertainment events.

"It is envisaged that this performance space will be utilised during the DWTC extensive events calendar, [and] also carefully managed to accommodate open air events for the public at all times," the DWTC said.

Adjacent to the Trade Centre Plaza is the soon-to-be-completed Shaikh Saeed Halls - four new interconnected halls including The Trade Centre Arena, a multipurpose space that will host concerts for up to 10,000 guests in an air conditioned, all-weather environment.

The Trade Centre Plaza will become the gateway to the Dubai World Trade Centre complex.

With amenities including retail, restaurants and coffee shops, temporary open exhibits, shaded areas and easy access to the new Metro, the project will form the heart of the DWTC and provide business and leisure travellers with an exceptional entertainment experience.

The new Trade Centre Plaza will also include an open area called the Palm Garden where exhibitors' gala dinners can be held during exhibitions.

These events will either be standing or seated events and operated by the DWTC's hospitality team through live kitchen stations.

The Palm Garden will also act as an informal entertainment area where the public can enjoy screenings of live sporting events on a large visual screen, similar to those found in other major cities around the world.

Hilal Saeed Al Merri, chief executive officer of the Dubai World Trade Centre, said: "We have seen continued growth in the number of visitors to our venues during the first half of 2009 and the demand for convenience and world class facilities has clearly risen.

The addition of the new Trade Centre Plaza is an excellent example of how [the] DWTC continues to seek ways in which to enhance the overall customer experience and support this growth."

It is also envisaged that the new Trade Centre Plaza will further strengthen the leading reputation of DWTC as a venue operator and organiser of events in the region.