Press Release Details

ADNEC and IFEMA Feria de Madrid Sign Agreement to Collaborate on Future Events

Publication Date: 10 Dec 2013

The agreement was signed by Pieter Idenburg, ADNEC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, and Luis Eduardo Cortés Muňoz, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of IFEMA, under the initiative of the UAE Embassy in Spain. It will enable both parties to exchange knowledge and best practice as well as facilitate the further internationalisation of both organisations.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr. Hissa Abdulla Ahmed Al-Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to Spain, and was attended by the Ambassador of Qatar, Abdul Razzak Al Abdul Ghani; Head of Business at the Embassy of Oman, Al-Abbas Al Harthi and Miguel Moro Aguilar, Deputy Director General for the Middle East at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Also present were Mr Santiago Quiriga, Director of International Development and Khalifa Al Qubaisi, Head of Sales for Congresses and Conferences at ADNEC who is also principally responsible for this partnership.

Pieter Idenburg, ADNEC Group CEO said: “The signing of this agreement strengthens Abu Dhabi’s offering as a global business tourism destination. IFEMA is a major player in the event industry in Spain and across Europe. This agreement reinforces our already solid relationship and is an important partnership for both Abu Dhabi and ADNEC Group.

“In the coming years we look forward to the crosspollination of ideas, opportunities and best practices in the interest of growth and development of both companies,” he continued.

ADNEC is a key driver of business tourism to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. The award-winning Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre offers organisers of exhibitions, conferences and live events a total of 133,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space, spread over three ball rooms, 20 meeting rooms, 11 fully interconnected halls and a 6,000 seat conference centre facility.

In addition to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC’s Group portfolio includes ExCeL London,  Al Ain Convention Centre, Capital Gate, Hyatt Capital Gate, Aloft Abu Dhabi and Aloft London.

Economic ties between the UAE and Spain have strengthened over recent years with a growing number of trade missions and high-level official visits taking place on both sides. As a result, more Spanish companies have established a presence in the UAE and the investments have shown sustained growth.

Trade relations between the UAE and Spain are underpinned by the efforts of the Joint Committee, created in 2010, to support greater bilateral trade activity between the two countries. This trade has grown by 75 per cent in the last three years, increasing from €1bn in 2009 to €1.75bn in 2012. In addition, the bilateral flow of tourists rose to 70,000 people in 2012, boosted by the increase in flights between the two countries.