The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the International Live Events Association (ILEA) Middle East, an association for event industry professionals who are passionate about knowledge, networking and event creativity, to work together on developing initiatives to enhance relations with the private sector as part of the Business Community Engagement (BCE) initiative, launched by DED last year.
The MOU is part of the efforts to involve the business community groups to support the growth of strategic economic sectors, in line with the mandate of DED. The main objective of the BCE initiative is to add value to Dubai’s economy by activating more public-private partnerships to bring investment into Dubai and promote sustainable economic development in the emirate.
DED sees the live events industry as a strategic sector that not only enhances Dubai’s role as an events hub, but also contributes to the economy and promotes creativity and innovation. Mohammed Shael Al Saadi, CEO of Corporate Strategy Sector at DED, said the MoU will bring significant advantages to the live events industry that defines Dubai as the global capital for all types of events. This is turn brings significant value for the local economy, he said.
“DED will work with ILEA Middle East to launch initiatives that will enhance the growth of the industry. This includes organising round tables on improving the business regulatory environment for live events, launching studies to determine the state and size of the industry and its contributions to the Dubai economy, and suggestions on how to improve the industry as a whole. DED will also engage with ILEA to identify obstacles and challenges the industry faces and provide recommendations, which will be translated into productive initiatives by the authorities concerned,” Al Saadi said.
“Myself and the entire ILEA Middle East Chapter are thrilled with this new agreement. This MoU serves as a catalyst to a better channel of communication to discuss industry challenges and aspirations between ILEA members and the DED. We are pleased with what we have achieved so far, and with the continued collaboration, shared responsibility and commitment from the DED, we are hopeful that we will continue in the same progressive vein as we have this past year,” commented ILEA Middle East Chapter President, Lee Charteris.
As part of the Business Community Engagement initiative, DED will over the next three years, launch initiatives to seek feedback and ideas from the business community on the current and future economic policy/initiatives, share information on trends and opportunities and collaborate with key private stakeholders in areas of mutual interest to add/create value for the economy.
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