"Eid in Dubai" embraced by private sector

The Dubai Shopping Festival Office revealed recently that "Eid in Dubai", organised by the Office, has attracted major entities from the private sector to sponsor the initiative.

Organised in collaboration with National Bonds as a founder sponsor, supported by Wasl, the asset management group owned by Dubai real-estate corporation (DREC), the "Eid in Dubai" initiative is also sponsored by ARY Jewellery, Emirates, Dubai Festival City and Dubai World Trade Centre, in association with Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG) and Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG).

Laila Suhail, CEO, DSF Office, hailed the great response from a wide range of companies and establishments in the private sector, stressing that it comes as no surprise as the private sector in Dubai has always lent its support to government oriented initiatives.

"Dubai Shopping festival and Dubai Summer surprises are two perfect examples of success stories for a unique Government-Private sector cooperation, "Eid in Dubai" will complement this solid partnership. This initiative addresses a huge segment of the population in Dubai thus making it a perfect platform for any establishment to reach out to its target audience," she said.

Mohammad Qasim Al Ali CEO, National Bonds, said, "National Bonds is proud to associate itself with 'Eid in Dubai', an initiative of the Dubai Shopping Festival Office, as a founder sponsor. Given the immense success of the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises since 1996, we are confident that 'Eid in Dubai' will attract a large audience from around the world and soon become an important part of Dubai's calendar of festive events. National Bonds has committed towards a three year strategic alliance with Dubai Shopping Festival Office until the year 2010."

Alya Al Mutawa, General Manager- Marketing and Corporate Communications, Wasl, said:

"As part of our corporate social responsibility programme, wasl is committed to participating in events that significantly enrich our communities and underscore our deep-rooted values. In keeping with this philosophy, we are delighted to collaborate with the Dubai Shopping Festival Office to organize the inaugural 'Eid in Dubai' event. Through this initiative, we also aim to elevate the festive spirit during Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha celebrations."

"Our sponsorship of this event is an extension of our support to the Ramadan campaign, which is designed to foster greater communication and increased interaction among various sections of the society," she added.

Tom Miles, Senior General Manger Retail, Dubai Festival City, said, "Dubai Festival City is proud to be a key sponsor of the inaugural 'Eid in Dubai' Festival. Dubai Festival City has always played an important part in the development and promotion of Dubai's major Festivals (Dubai Summer Surprises and Dubai Shopping Festival) and continues to support Government initiatives to position Dubai as a world-renowned retail and tourism destination."

He said, "With Dubai Festival City being a key sponsor of "Eid in Dubai", Festival Centre becomes the hub of celebrations, hosting the first 'Eid in Dubai' opening ceremony, together with a variety of cultural displays and performances over three days."

Majid Al Mualla, Emirates Vice President, Commercial Sales, UAE, added, "Dubai Government's tourism initiatives have always been strategic, carefully designed and have had tremendous success in boosting tourism to the city. Emirates fully supports the new retail and entertainment initiative 'Eid in Dubai' and will align our operations to support the objectives of the government and the programme."

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, DWTC, said, "Eid in Dubai will play an important role in enabling further development of the tourism sector, by providing a unique offering during the Eid celebrations, further establishing Dubai as an unmatched year-round tourist destination."

Almarri added:

"Supporting such events is in complete alignment with our vision to make Dubai the leading destination for all major exhibitions, conferences and events as per the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015."

Mr. Praveen Chandiramani,COO - ARY EXCLUSIVE, said, "Eid-Al-Fitr is a festival of sharing and giving and we are extremely delighted to be part of this fantastic initiative by the Dubai Government. Eid is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts and by way of our EIDIYAH promotion we are able to live the true spirit of EID."