Interview
Building to rise in Dubai
EW discusses startups, tech, growth strategy and more with Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice-president Dubai World Trade Centre
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Centre( DWTC) is driving forward the exhibition sector both in the emirate and the wider region. With latest economic impact statistics showing it generated AED13bn in economic output in 2022, EW was keen to delve into the DNA of this dynamic venue and organiser and understand its strategic approach and impact. We talked to DWTC executive-president Trixie LohMirmand and asked, firstly, how they measure the wider impact of their events on Dubai’ s GDP and regional development?
“ The wider impact is seen in how our events open new channels of foreign direct investment, as well as accelerate trade and business tourism that translate directly into GDP growth,” she points out, noting that this September 2025, Dubai ranked first in Greenfield FDI projects with $ 11bn
FDI inflows in the first half of 2025( Source: Dubai FDI Monitor).
LohMirmand notes the city also ranked first globally across key clusters, including ICT and electronics, creative industries, life sciences, consumer goods, financial services and industrial equipment.“ Notably, Dubai led in emerging categories such as Artificial Intelligence( AI) and FinTech,” she says.
Multinational HQ Reinforcing the city’ s status as a preferred destination for multinational headquarters, Dubai secured the global No. 1 ranking for HQ FDI projects, with numbers rising 60 % from 20 in H1 2024 to 32 in H1 2025. And, of course, from the investment flow events flow too.
Far left: Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International and EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre
Below: Dubai GITEX Global
The strength of DWTC’ s events has also spurred the $ 2.72bn expansion of Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City, set to become the world’ s largest purpose-built indoor venue. This scaleup is yet another sign of the sustained demand for large-scale events.
LohMirmand notes that equally important is the knowledge and technology transfer events enable – giving businesses and governments exposure to new technologies and talent that can redefine their global competitiveness.
“ All these business outcomes directly contribute towards the Dubai Economic D33 Agenda – to double the size of the economy by 2033 and position among the top three urban economies worldwide,” she adds.
GITEX, the world’ s largest startup and investor connector event had its October date at DWTC this year and, over 45 years, has grown from a regional tech show to a global platform. But what is behind this transformation?
LohMirmand says one key decision that played a role in growth was the positioning of GITEX as more than an event – also a platform to connect and grow tech ecosystems worldwide.
18 Issue 5 2025 www. exhibitionworld. co. uk