Beautyworld Middle East

The cosmetics trade fair Beautyworld Middle East performed excellently. Held from October 27 to 29, it attracted around 86,000 visitors from 178 countries.

 China's Big Moment

Trade Minister Abdulla Al-Saleh (right), UAE, with Chinese guests. (Image: Gérard Al-Fil)

China is the largest trading partner of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 2024, non-oil trade between the two countries surpassed the USD 100 billion mark for the first time. Accordingly, numerous trade delegations from the «Middle Kingdom» are flocking to Dubai—such as this one from Yunnan Province. Sino-Emirati trade ties continue to flourish, much to the delight of Minister of State for Foreign Trade Abdulla Al-Saleh.

GITEX Global

Robot manufacturer K2 from Abu Dhabi presents its latest models at the IT trade fair GITEX Global. (Image: Gérard Al-Fil)

Gone are the days when the UAE relied on highly specialised technology companies from abroad. Rrobot manufacturer K2 from Abu Dhabi showcased its latest models from its lineup to an amazed audience at the GITEX Global IT fair. As a hub for AI, intelligent robots, and autonomous vehicles, the UAE aims to prepare for the post-oil era.

MICE Sector gets more important

Helal Al Marri (right), Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai, and Trixie LohMirmand (on the smartphone), Executive Vice President, DWTC. (Image: Gérard Al-Fil)

The MICE sector — the industry for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions — generated 45 billion dollars for the Gulf emirate in 2023. Thanks in part to more than 100 trade fairs per year, Dubai attracted nearly 19 million tourists and business travellers in 2024. Many conference visitors extend their stay on the Gulf to soak up the sun on the beach, much to the delight of Helal Al Marri (right), Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai, and Trixie LohMirmand (on the phone), Executive Vice President, DWTC.

TOKEN2049

(Image: Gérard Al-Fil)

Dubai is also the Mecca of the global crypto community. In May of this year, thousands of delegates packed the conference center of the Madinat Jumeirah resort for the TOKEN2029 trade fair, focused on Web3 topics and decentralised finance. TOKEN meets twice a year, in Dubai and Singapore.

Metro expansion shall ease road congestion

(Image: Gérard Al-Fil)

For some, Dubai’s magnetic appeal can occasionally be a bit too much. Traffic jams and parking shortages are a daily occurrence in the Gulf metropolis during the peak exhibition seasons from February to June and from October to December. The expansion of the Dubai Metro is intended to provide relief and further strengthen Dubai’s position as a trade fair hub in the future. The current 90-kilometer rail network, consisting of the Red Line and the Green Line, will be expanded by the 30-kilometer Blue Line by 2029. Construction work is already in full swing.