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In his address during the closing session today, Khalid Al Malik, CEO of Tatweer, said:
"The inaugural IDF 2007 not only highlighted the essential role design plays in the development of nations and economies, but also outlined the various measures which needed to be initiated to create a regional design capital in Dubai."
This initiative will result in attracting international professionals to the region and open up channels for investment in this sector. At a later stage, this could lead to nurturing young talents within the region through academic programmes and special institutions. Consequently, the region will be able to establish a design capital to compete with international design centres like Paris, Milan, London and New York.
Al Malik added: "The experts and leaders have indicated a direction for the industry in the Arab world to work on. We are sure in the coming months follow-up actions will be taken towards achieving this objective."
The influence of design on industries was one of the main topics discussed during IDF 2007. Participants and delegates outlined how design has permeated into all aspects of modern life, from the clothes we wear to the buildings we live and work in, to the cars we drive and even the food we eat.
The design industry, spurred by the construction boom in the Middle East, is growing at 30 per cent, a rate that some analysts estimate is the fastest rising demand curve for design products in the world.
Up to 40 global design firms have opened representative offices in Dubai in the past two years to work on the many urban planning and mixed use design projects initiated by developers in the Middle East.
"It was truly the right mix of participants, exhibitors and industry professionals which made this event quite relevant. The combination of leading knowledge partners and media sponsors has contributed to the significance of this event. We are sure the event will direct the future course of the design industry," Al Malik added.
More than 500 design experts, business leaders and patrons of architecture, urban planning and industrial design from 50 countries have converged on Dubai for the event held at the Madinat Jumeirah.
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Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
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