JEDDAH – MEED, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Department, announced it will stage the 8th edition of the annual Abu Dhabi Conference to discuss the roadmap and project outline for the Emirate's aspirations to become a global business hub. Scheduled on Dec. 8-10, 2013 at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, The Abu Dhabi Conference will feature keynote addresses by Eng. Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Economy; Mohammed Omar Abdullah, Undersecretary, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED); and Eng. Amer Al Hammadi, Executive Director for Planning & Infrastructure, Urban Planning Council (UPC). In addition to ongoing massive projects in real estate, retail, tourism and transport, Abu Dhabi will award a range of new contracts in Q1 of 2014 with an estimated value of over $7 billion. These include the $1.8 billion ADWEA - Mirfa IWPP project, the $2.5-billion residential villas project in Musanada - Shamkha South; and the $1 billion Urban Planning Council mixed-used project in the Shahama and Bahia Districts. As the capital pushes its agenda for sustainable growth, a total of $346.7-billion worth of projects will be implemented from 2016-2030, thus presenting opportunities for contractors and other stakeholders to align their business strategy with Abu Dhabi's planned developments across critical sectors, including industry and metals, transportation, agriculture, aerospace and technology. “We have worked closely with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Department in putting together a program that will present a comprehensive overview of project opportunities, achievements and challenges faced in delivering Abu Dhabi's economic vision 2030 across key sectors, including pipeline projects and upcoming opportunities geared towards Abu Dhabi taking on a much more significant economic role in the region, as well as the rest of the world,” said Edmund O' Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events, organizers of the annual business conference focusing on Abu Dhabi. Among the critical issues that will be discussed at the conference include a review of Abu Dhabi's efforts towards economic diversification in a macro-economic environment driven by hydrocarbons; as well as discussions on ongoing initiatives towards enabling Abu Dhabi to become a global business hub while aligning these efforts with the Emirate's 2030 masterplan. Other significant highlights include a review of the opportunities in Al Gharbia and the Al Ain in regard to planned projects such as middle-income housing, university development and agriculture being delivered by the Western Region Development Council and the Al Ain Municipality respectively. Other eminent organizations speaking at the conference include Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, ADMA OPCO, Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Mubadala Aerospace, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Etihad Rail, Masdar Institute and TAQA. The Abu Dhabi Conference is an annual gathering of government and private sector leaders which enables discussions and updates on upcoming project and investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi's diverse economy. — SG
