Abu dhabi: The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has been named the destination partner for the 19th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, scheduled to take place in October 2027 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). This event will be supported by the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB).
According to Emirates News Agency, this will be the first time the convention is held in the Middle East, attracting between 4,000 and 5,000 overseas Chinese entrepreneurs globally. Hosting this significant event underlines Abu Dhabi's status as a leading global destination for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, and highlights its infrastructure and expanding tourism and cultural offerings.
The convention aligns with the objectives of Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which seeks to increase annual visitor numbers to 39.3 million by 2030, marking a growth of over 50% compared to 2023 figures. The recent convention edition in Macao concluded with a formal handover of the convention flag to the Abu Dhabi organisers.
During a ceremony at ADNEC, prominent officials, including Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Zhang Yiming, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the UAE, acknowledged the selection of Abu Dhabi for this notable congress. The event is expected to boost foreign investments into the UAE.
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, noted that international events and conventions are key to Abu Dhabi's tourism sector and broader economic diversification efforts. He emphasized the opportunity to build partnerships and deepen dialogue with Chinese entrepreneurs, while displaying Abu Dhabi's tourism offerings, infrastructure, and hospitality. New museums in Saadiyat Cultural District and upcoming projects like Sphere Abu Dhabi and the Disney theme park are expected to attract more Chinese visitors.
Ambassador Zhang Yiming remarked that China-UAE relations are at their peak, and Abu Dhabi's hosting of the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention underscores its commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. The event will provide a platform for cooperation and mutual benefits, enhancing global development through the engagement of overseas Chinese entrepreneurs.
The MICE sector is integral to Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, positioning the emirate as a global business events destination. In 2024, Abu Dhabi hosted about 4,000 MICE events, attracting over 1.55 million visitors-a 62% increase from the prior year.
