Dubai Global Connect (DGC) has announced the inauguration of the DGC Visitor Centre, the first building to officially open within the B2B wholesale market megaproject, which is an initiative by the Investment Corporation of Dubai.
Designed by Rome-based Studio Fuksas, the building is part of the DGC megaproject and is located in Dubai South, between Al Maktoum Airport and Jebel Ali Port. Construction of the Visitor Centre was completed on October 20, 2020 as scheduled, a statement from DGC adds.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place following an initial soft-launch period, and was performed by HE Mohammed Al Shaibani, Managing Director of the Investment Corporation of Dubai, in the presence of HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of the Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Majid Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber.
Cindy Morris, CEO of the Dallas Market Centre, with whom DGC signed a strategic alliance in 2020, also travelled to Dubai from Dallas to attend the ceremony. Other principals from DGC, the Investment Corporation of Dubai and Dubai South were also in attendance.
H.E. Mohammed I. Al Shaibani, Managing Director of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD,) explained: “Throughout history, Dubai’s strategic location forged a rich legacy of commerce for the city, continued global ambition and a decisive role in international trade. DGC was initiated by ICD to build on this history of trade and we look forward to welcoming traders from around to the world to our Visitor Centre from today onwards.”
DGC will welcome visitors to the purpose-built, 4,000 square meters Visitor Centre where it will showcase the DGC ecosystem of services and products as a catalyst of growth for their business. DGC has created small-scale markets as part of this unique Visitor Centre experience where an initial selection of traders in Furniture & Living, Food, and Fashion will display their product ranges.
“We have always planned for the DGC Visitor Centre to be operational throughout EXPO2020, and we are proud to announce its completion as scheduled. Our vision for this space goes beyond promoting DGC and extends to providing a platform for trade to thrive while we work towards completing the remainder of the DGC wholesale market and surrounding ecosystem,” commented Douraid Zaghouani, COO of ICD and Chairman of DGC.
The rest of the wholesale market is expected to be delivered in phases, with the first phase consisting of 400,000 square meters of dedicated trade facilities including on-site storage, boutique offices, an innovation hub and a smart service centre housing third party service provider.