Dubai World Trade Centre

The Dubai World Trade Centre is a complex of buildings located along Sheikh Zayed Road, built by Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The entire complex includes the original tower, built in 1978, as well as eight exhibition spaces, the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and a number of flats and residences located in an area known simply as The Apartments.

Such is the importance of the World Trade Centre for the economy of the area that its profile is depicted on the 100 dirham note. The Dubai World Trade Centre is in fact the first office complex in the city that attracted international investors.

The original World Trade Centre tower is 149 metres high and consists of 39 floors, most of which are office space. When completed, it was the tallest structure in the whole of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, as well as being the first skyscraper on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Internationally renowned companies that have located their offices inside the World Trade Centre include Federal Express, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, Sony and many others, as well as the consulates of Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States of America.

In all, the World Trade Centre has over 1 million square metres of mixed-use space, and is capable of hosting events of all types and sizes. Over 500 international trade fairs, shows and conventions are organised each year, with over 2.5 million visitors from 160 countries around the world.

The flagship of the exhibition areas is the Trade Centre Arena, the largest indoor area of its kind in the entire Middle East, thanks to its surface area of 9100 square metres. It is suitable for hosting large events and concerts, with its 14-metre high ceilings and an audience capacity of up to 10,000 people.

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

The Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, also known as DICEC, is a part of the World Trade Centre used as an exhibition space. It was built in 1979 at the behest of Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

The architect responsible for the project was British architect Tony Kettle, and today the Dubai International Convention Centre is used for trade fairs, congresses and events, thanks to its total exhibition space of no less than 35,000 square metres.

World Trade Centre Hotels

The internationally renowned Accor Hotels chain has positioned itself within the Dubai World Trade Centre with two hotels: one under the Novotel brand, the other under the Ibis brand.

The Novotel World Trade Centre is a 4-star hotel with airy and spacious rooms, a view of the Sheikh Zayed Road skyline, a swimming pool, a trendy lobby and a bar called the Blue Bar, as well as a conference room and fully equipped rooms.

The Ibis Dubai World Trade Centre, on the other hand, is a budget hotel with many amenities. It is part of the complex and is located along Sheikh Zayed Road, has a 24-hour reception and 210 air-conditioned rooms, two bars and a restaurant.

How to get to the World Trade Centre

The World Trade Centre is located along Sheikh Zayed Road on the Creek side, bordering the Al Karama district. Getting there is easy as the red metro line has a stop at the complex: it is number 23, named after the World Trade Centre.

Alternatively, you can use taxis– all taxi drivers know where it is – or buses. By car you can get there directly from the Sheikh Zayed Road, and the complex has a convenient car park that can accommodate as many as 5000 cars.