Vision 2030 Jan. 2011 | Page 47

Development is well under-way with lucrative deals already signed for the much coveted office and hotel space immediately surrounding the exhibition centre. The potential of this area has been recognised by both hoteliers and businesses alike purchasing towers and office spaces in close proximity to a venue that will attract millions of visitors in key areas and serve to act as a focal point for international business. According to HE Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri “The concept of the development is that the Capital Centre District, located in the Embassy area of Abu Dhabi, will become a micro-city in its own right. The business opportunity potential of Capital Centre District was recognised immediately and investors acted fast in securing the deals.” Winning awards is an area in which ADNEC has become proficient. It has been in receipt of a grand total of ten of these highly esteemed, peer reviewed, international industry awards, including “World’s Best Venue 2009”. Part of Vision 2030 is that Abu Dhabi will have one of the five top governments in the world. ADNEC is a government owned company and plays an integral role in the governments’ endeavours to brand Abu Dhabi as such. When it comes to Vision 2030, a commonly held notion is that the vision itself is a natural extension of the grand vision of the late Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the United Arab Emirates. CEO Financial put this concept to the Managing Director, and found him to be in agreement. “I would agree one hundred percent that Vision 2030 is a natural extension of the vision of Sheikh Zayed. This vision was in his mind and his actions. All of his efforts for so many years are finally coming to fruition. He mentored our current leaders on his strategy and we are very lucky to have a number of competent leaders in government who have been able to draft and document plans to outline what needs to be done over the next twenty years on the road to 2030” states Al Dhaheri. The initiatives that drive ADNEC fit precisely with Vision 2030, with the centre assisting in enabling this vision to become reality. ADNEC does this by becoming a focal point for international business within the region, and the world, enjoying the consequent exposure that is generated. The World Future Energy Summit for example, has been labelled as the “Davos of Green Energy” and has served to galvanise “Brand Abu Dhabi”. “We are an organisation that has been formed as part of Vision 2030. All of our initiatives fit with the vision. The government is now looking to brand Abu Dhabi on the world stage and position the Emirate as having one of the world’s best 5 governments. ADNEC is operating under that premise. It is the best exhibition venue in the Gulf and we are positioning the UAE to compete.” asserts the managing director. “We really believe in Abu Dhabi and we want the rest of the world to do so as well. Come and join us in the calm, cultured way that is Abu Dhabi”. 45