Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 1, 2018:  Two Emirati officials have been appointed as members of the newly formed Board of Directors for the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. The Center is seeking to benefit from the UAE’s vast expertise to develop its performance and advance the exhibition industry in Saudi Arabia.

The two new Emirati members that were appointed to the Board of Directors for the Center are HE Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah and Member of the Board of Directors of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) for the Middle East and Africa, and Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, Vice President- Commercial, Dubai World Trade Centre. The two appointees have vast knowledge and experience in the exhibition industry and are considered two of the UAE’s leaders in their field.

Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Chairman of the Board of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that he was confident that the new Board of Directors will enhance the performance of the Center and contribute to elevating the exhibition industry in the country. He pointed out that the members of the new Board have great Arab and international expertise that will play an important role in developing the Center, which will encourage and stimulate the exhibition industry in Riyadh and in Saudi Arabia.

HE Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, stressed the importance of providing the Center with all the necessary experience and knowledge in accordance with the best international practices, in order to support it in achieving its goals, which comes within the framework of the close relationship between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, stated that selecting two new Emirati Board members to join the Board of Directors for the Center, is part of the framework of cooperation between the two countries. He added that the appointments also reflect the growing reputation for the UAE’s expertise in the field of exhibitions, which has proven its ability to develop and enhance this industry. This reputation has led to the UAE’s success in hosting Expo 2020 and has resulted in its active participation in the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

The volume of investment in the UAE’s exhibition and conference sector is estimated to be worth more than Dh36.7 billion, according to reports issued by the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Over the past few years, the UAE has made significant strides in the exhibition industry and has become a leading regional and global destination.

The Center is one of the most modern centers in Saudi Arabia that specialize in the organization of economic exhibitions and conferences. The Center seeks to develop the exhibitions and conferences industry in Saudi Arabia by building strategic relationships with other entities that organize exhibitions and conferences in the region. The newly formed Board of Directors aims to boost the center’s activities and raise its status internationally, which is in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 that aims to expand the exhibition industry, attract the activities of various economic and cultural conferences, contribute to support the national economy, raise the gross domestic product and provide new employment opportunities for Saudi youth.