His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum breaks ground for new era in business architecture

"Dubai World Trade Centre has played a historic role in stimulating regional and international trade, and this new development will ensure that it remains at the heart of business growth in the Middle East," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

"I am delighted to break ground on this project, which will transform the surrounding landscape and enhance business opportunity throughout the region. Dubai is moving forward with its plans to become a major hub for international business and this development has a key role to play by providing advanced infrastructure at the heart of the central commercial district," he added.

The Dubai Trade Centre District has been designed under the supervision of DWTC, at the direction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister for Finance and Industry, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of DWTC.

Today's ground-breaking ceremony initiates the first phase of the AED 16 billion Masterplan to generate a new business district at the heart of the city.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of DWTC and contracting company Khansaheb.

The architectural consequences of the plan will be profound, transforming the entire area surrounding the DWTC Tower at the base of the Sheikh Zayed Road into a new state-of-the-art business quarter at the epicentre of Dubai's Central Business District.

With each phase designed by major international architects, the District will provide one of the most striking architectural statements yet seen in the region, as well as providing a dynamic and innovative destination for international companies seeking to relocate to Dubai's attractive and business-oriented environment.

"We are honoured that His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum has begun the process that will push the thriving commercial heart of Dubai to the next level of development. Dubai Trade Centre District will be one of the most talked-about business hubs in the world, providing a highly advanced infrastructure for global organisations," said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre.

Designed by Hopkins Architects, the Dubai Trade Centre District will contain two hotels, 200,000 square metres of grade A1 office accommodation, plus a range of serviced and residential apartments with a retail component offering a mix of food, beverage and high-end boutiques.

The addition of 200,000 sq.m of new offices in the prime location of Sheikh Zayed Road will have a hugely beneficial impact for new businesses and expanding companies based in the UAE, particularly since the development will come with one of the most sought-after business addresses in the world.

Dubai Trade Centre District is being developed in parallel with Dubai Exhibition City, the major exhibition destination that will play host to the world's largest and most prestigious events.

"The parallel projects of Dubai Trade Centre District and Dubai Exhibition City have been designed to complement each other, and to deliver significant benefits to the people of Dubai. Through these advanced developments, we will be able to retain and grow the commercial opportunities created by the thriving exhibition sector, at the same time as resolving some of the infrastructure challenges that major events can create," said Al Marri.

As part of the construction, several of the current external car parking sites used by Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) will be closed, to enable their redevelopment. However, additional space has been made available in front of Za'abeel Hall and opposite the Novotel, to cater to visitors and exhibitors.

The completion of Phase One of both projects is due in 2010.