Expo Centre Sharjah, UAE, has released its figures for Q1 of 2023, demonstrating a strong start to the year.
Q1 kicked off with a range of both local and international exhibitions at the Centre and its affiliated centres in Khorfakkan and Al Dhaid. These included 15 economic, commercial, and cultural exhibitions: a 25% increase from the same period in 2022 where only 12 exhibitions were hosted.
According to the exhibition centre, these events drew over 100,000 local and international visitors.
Among the Centre’s standout exhibitions were SteelFab, which featured 200 local and international companies, and the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show, which hosted 500 exhibitors. These shows have now become permanent fixtures in Expo Centre Sharjah's calendar.
The UAE Schools and Nursery Show meanwhile drew participation from educational institutions, schools, nurseries, and private education centres across the nation.
Expo Centre Sharjah has also attended international exhibition industry events, such as the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) in Lisbon, Portugal, which took place 1–3 February 2023.
According to Expo Centre Sharjah, the venue has been making efforts to work with government agencies, institutions, and specialised organisations to advance the exhibition industry at both the state and regional levels. These have included memorandums of understanding (MoU) with:
- The Sharjah Private Education Authority
- The Council of Indian Exhibition Organisers
- The International Congress and Convention Association
Economic growth
HE Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI and Expo Centre Sharjah, highlighted that the exhibition industry is a key contributor to economic development and GDP growth in the UAE, and hopes that the centre can play a role in supporting these goals.
CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, HE Saif Mohammed Al Midfa (main image), commented that 2023’s Q1 exhibitions were designed to stay in step with the latest economic, commercial, and cultural developments, as well as global trends within the exhibition industry.
He added that Expo Centre Sharjah aims to support key sectors and fields by attracting investors and businessmen from diverse industries, boosting tourism, and diversifying sources of income.
