Dubai 2003 hosts Chairman and Chief

The Dubai International Convention Centre, completed in January, has been developed to significantly enhance Dubai and the UAE as a major regional venue to host international meetings and conventions.

Designed as a multi-purpose facility, the DICC will seat 4,500 delegates in the special configuration for the Annual Meetings and 6,000 people for other conventions and conferences. Without seating the hall has a maximum capacity of 15,000 people for musical and other large-scale indoor events.

The multipurpose hall that will host the event is 140 metres in length, 60 metres wide and has a ceiling height of 13 metres, big enough to fit an international football field inside the building. The most advanced conference and convention centre technology has been used throughout the building including the latest fibre optic technology and acoustic techniques to ensure perfect sound quality for any type of event in the hall.

Dubai 2003 General Coordinator, Mr. Ibrahim Belselah, said: "We are very happy that Sir Fraser Morrison and Brian Stewart of RMJM have taken time to fly from the UK to see for themselves the world-class facility their company has created here in Dubai."

RMJM Chairman Sir Fraser Morrison said: "RMJM has a proud history of operating in the United Arab Emirates for over 30 years. We are tremendously proud to have been given the opportunity to be responsible for the design and creation of the Dubai International Convention Centre.

"This is a landmark building that will not only provide the perfect setting for the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and IMF but will give Dubai and the UAE a magnificent long term venue to attract the world's most prestigious convention events.

"We have welcomed the support and partnership of Dubai 2003 and the Dubai World Trade Centre in ensuring that this project was completed on schedule and to the specifications required."

RMJM have now also moved their UAE offices into the office complex that is part of the Dubai International Convention Centre building.

The Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund were first held in Washington DC in 1946. They are hosted by an international city, other than Washington DC, one year in three. Dubai and the UAE were selected because of its highly developed transportation and logistics infrastructure, growing importance as a financial hub and its established position as an oasis of opportunity.