Dubai-UAE: 08 March, 2015

Dubai World Central has concluded a series of B2B meetings with selected companies in Italy as part of its sustained drive to attract foreign investment.

The delegation from Dubai World Central visited five Italian cities - Milan, Torino, Lucca, Modena and Venice - as part of its exclusive B2B outreach program. UniCredit Group, a prominent Italy-based global banking and financial services company, and Diacron International, a global consulting company, partnered with Dubai World Central to facilitate the meetings.

Commenting on the outcome, Paolo Serra, VP, Business Park, Dubai World Central said: "Dubai World Central is Dubai's largest urban development project - an ecosystem that will ultimately support one million people - and we are keen to see Italy well represented here. Currently, we have over 2,000 companies based at Dubai World Central of which around 100 are of Italian origin. The objective of this tour was to demonstrate the exciting value proposition Dubai World Central holds for Italian and European businesses.

"During this visit, we chose to focus on meetings with specific companies from Italy's perishables, logistics and general trading sectors, who are also looking to expand their operations in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region. With that in mind, we worked closely with our partners, UniCredit Group and Diacron International, to hold fruitful one-on-one meetings with several business prospects. We look forward to growing their intent and interest."  

According to data from the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, bilateral trade between the UAE and Italy amounted to AED34.3 billion in 2013, representing a YoY increase of 5.1%, and 56% since 2010. In the same year, Italy's overall trade with the six GCC states amounted to AED87.8 billion. For us, the UAE is a hub for countries in the Arab peninsula. It is one of the most important countries for our exports in the Arab world," For us, the UAE is a hub for countries in the Arab peninsula. It is one of the most important countries for our exports in the Arab world," For us, the UAE is a hub for countries in the Arab peninsula. It is one of the most important countries for our exports in the Arab world,"

The Italy meetings were the latest in a series of international outreach programs undertaken by Dubai World Central to attract foreign investment. In 2013, its business delegation toured New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru as part of its agenda to attract investors from India.

An increasing number of foreign investors are setting up operations at Dubai World Central to leverage off its growing business ecosystem that centers on the Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA). Located around 50 kilometers away from Dubai International Airport, AMIA is currently undergoing a US$32 billion expansion, and is designed to become a next generation airport. Once complete, the emirate's second airport will spread over 56 square kilometers with capacity to handle more than 200 million passengers and 16 million tons of cargo per year.

The Al Maktoum International Airport received its first passenger flight in 2013, while cargo operations began in 2010. As operations at the airport grow, the destination is anticipated to generate powerful business, employment and investment opportunities.

-Ends-

About Dubai World Central (DWC)
Dubai World Central is a purpose-built, master-planned city around the Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA), the largest airport in the world when complete. Covering an area of approximately 145 square kilometers, DWC is a self-sustained ecosystem that seamlessly integrates this global trade, business, logistics and aviation hub with a smart and sustainable urban city development. DWC is designed to provide unmatched connectivity, speed and efficiency for sea-to-air and air-to-sea cargo. It will also ultimately support a population of 1million and host residential, retail, healthcare, education and hospitality sectors. DWC is emerging as a preeminent global destination and is now home to the World Expo 2020.

For more information contact:
Burgess Baria
Dubai World Central
+917 55 591 7279
burgess.baria@dwc.ae

© Press Release 2015