AsiaNet 85669

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Announces Strategic Alliance With US-Based Operator Dallas Market Center

The Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), in partnership with Dubai South,

announced today the launch of Dubai Global Connect (DGC), a 1 million square

meter B2B wholesale market in Dubai which will bring together buyers and

sellers to safely and easily trade great goods from all over the world, all

year round in one central location. The initial focus will be on three sectors

which have been identified as being large enough in size, growing, and relevant

to the region: Furniture & Living, Food, and Fashion.

On its part, DGC has today announced it has entered into a strategic alliance

with US-based Market Center Management Company (MCMC) for the development and

management of DGC's state-of-the-art permanent showroom environment which will

be open year-round to qualified retail buyers and designers, manufacturers, and

industry professionals, and can be fitted out by sellers according to their own

style and budget. The showrooms will be closed to the public.

H.E. Mohammed I. Al Shaibani, Managing Director of the Investment Corporation

of Dubai, explained: "As part of our mandate to enhance Dubai's position as a

global, competitive economy, ICD has embarked on the creation of DGC with the

vision to build a unique trade infrastructure that enhances efficiencies in

global trade flows through Dubai. We are excited to have MCMC on board to

support our teams in realizing this vision, as well as in the development and

management of the market."  

MCMC has a legacy of sole, private ownership of the Dallas Market Center (DMC),

operating in the US for 65+ years, as well as multinational experience

involving both ownership and management of wholesale markeplaces including

Brussels International Trade Mart and ShanghaiMart as well as consultation

experience on additional projects in Colombia, Vietnam, and Portugal.

Cindy Morris, CEO of MCMC, commented: "We are pleased to be a part of this

truly unique opportunity for Dubai to address industry pain points and create

an important global destination for wholesale trade. This multi-year agreement

aims to foster team collaboration between our companies and ultimately help

create a center of commerce for buyers and sellers from around the world."

DGC is unique as it focuses on a global audience in addition to regional

audiences to create a truly origin-neutral marketplace to trade goods from all

around the world. Traditionally, wholesale markets have focused on promoting

domestic agendas by bringing together sellers of local products with

international buyers or by presenting international products to regional buyer

groups.

"DGC has been a long time in the making but is even more relevant and needed in

today's changed global trade environment. Establishing a controlled, permanent

marketplace environment is perfectly timed as event producers and their

attendees cope with reduced travel budgets and the need for smaller, more

controlled gatherings. DGC enables traders to meet halfway by offering

producers and manufacturers a window to the world in a central, easy to reach

location, and by providing buyers with a safe buying environment and place of

reference that is open all year round." commented Douraid Zaghouani, COO of ICD

and Chairman of Dubai Global Connect.

DGC, the "City of Trade", is already under construction, with a purpose-built

visitor centre opening in Q4 of 2020. The market is expected to be delivered in

phases, with the first phase comprising of 400,000 square meters of dedicated

trade facilities including on-site storage, boutique offices, an innovation

hub, and a Smart Service Centre to house third party service providers.

Located at the crossroads of Dubai's logistics corridor, at Dubai South next to

Al Maktoum International Airport with a direct connection to the Jebel Ali

Port, DGC's physical infrastructure will be supported by best-in-class services

and optimal business solutions at the Logistics District, including a digital

wholesale trading platform which will connect wholesale sellers and buyers

online and facilitate hassle-free trade through DGC.

For more information please visit: www.dubaiglobalconnect.com

Press Enquiries: Info@dubaiglobalconnect.com

ABOUT DGC:

Dubai Global Connect (DGC) is the world's first wholesale market with a global

focus. An initiative of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), the "City of

Trade" provides purpose-built facilities and supporting infrastructure in a

year-round, origin-neutral market and expo where global buyers and sellers in

furniture & home, food and fashion can connect and trade at scale. DGC is an

ecosystem, conveniently located in geographically advantageous Dubai, dedicated

to the growth of the industries it promotes and their global traders.

ABOUT MCMC:

Market Center Management Company (MCMC) is an international market center and

tradeshow management company with more than sixty-year history of development,

ownership, consulting and/or management of large-scale B2B wholesale trade

centers and associated tradeshows around the world.

The company currently has a global portfolio of 7 million square feet of market

center trading space under management.

ABOUT ICD:

The Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), the principal investment arm of the

Government of Dubai, was established in May 2006 by decree (11) of 2006 under a

mandate to consolidate and manage the Government of Dubai's portfolio of

commercial companies and investments.

ICD has a rich portfolio of assets, both locally and internationally, across a

broad spectrum of the sectors that form the blueprint of Dubai's dynamic

economy.

About Dubai South

Dubai South is an emerging 145 sq. km. city situated within the emirate of

Dubai that will ultimately sustain a population of one million.

Launched as a Government of Dubai project in 2006, the city is mandated to

embody the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum by

manifesting the urban and societal themes as outlined in the Dubai Plan 2021.

Dubai South's economic platform supports every conceivable kind of business and

industry. The city is also home to Al Maktoum International Airport and the

Expo 2020.

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1276925/Dubai_Global_Connect.mp4  

Photo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1276923/Dubai_Global_Connect_Phase_1.jpg  

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1276924/Dubai_Global_Connect_Logo.jpg  

SOURCE: Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD)