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Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, has approved an AED10bn ($2.7bn) expansion plan for Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai. 

The expansion, which is being undertaken under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, is an integral component of the vision for Dubai Expo City to become an economic hub, driven by exhibitions and events.

According to the official statement, upon completion DEC will become the largest purpose-built indoor events and exhibition venue in the region.

Video: @HHShkMohd approves AED10 billion expansion plan for the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City #Dubai. pic.twitter.com/9M8mCzKYQO

The venue’s expansion will be undertaken in three phases. The first phase will add 140,000 square metres (sq m) of exhibition space to the venue. It is set for completion by 2026.

The second phase, which is expected to be completed by 2028, will further expand the total exhibition space to nearly 160,000 sq m and upgrade the infrastructure, including road networks and multi-storey parking.

The final phase will increase the total space to 180,000 sq m, with 26 halls on a single level spanning 1.2 kilometres. This phase will also include a 300-plus key hotel, retail outlets, commercial offices and an industrial kitchen for fully integrated operations. It is expected to be completed by 2031.

Once complete, DEC will be 1.5 times larger than the current Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

In May, Dubai announced the expansion of exhibition halls in Dubai Expo City. Beijing-headquartered China Construction Steel Structure International, a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, won the contract for the expansion.

The project has a total construction area of about 77,000 sq m.

The expansion involves the construction of a new venue on the north and south sides of the existing convention and exhibition centre.

According to a report by GlobalData, the output of the construction industry in the UAE is expected to expand by 4.6% in real terms in 2024, supported by improved investments in transport, industrial and residential construction projects. The industry’s growth in 2024 will also be supported by private-sector investments in the real estate sector. 

GlobalData expects the commercial construction sector to expand by 5.6% in real terms in 2024 before registering an annual average growth rate of 5.6% in 2025-28, supported by a recovery in tourism activities, coupled with improved investments in the hospitality sector.