ACC seeks to put Amman on Festivals' map

In implementation of the decision of the Board of Directors of the Amman Chamber of Commerce to hold an annual shopping festival in the capital Amman starting next summer, the Board of Directors of the Chamber discussed during a "remote" meeting with the Executive Director of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Promotion Establishment affiliated with the Department of Economy and Tourism in the Emirate of Dubai, Ahmed Al Khaja, the possibility of benefiting from the Emirati experience in organizing the (Dubai Shopping Festival), which began 30 years ago.

According to a statement by the Chamber, the Chairman of the Chamber, Khalil Al-Haj Tawfiq, confirmed that the Chamber seeks to put Amman on the map of Arab festivals, as the city of Amman is qualified to be a destination for Arab and foreign families and for citizens in expatriate countries in search of shopping, entertainment and tourism, especially in the summer, which Jordan is characterized by suitable temperatures, as all shopping festivals in the Gulf countries are held in the winter.

Haj Tawfiq added that the success of this festival requires concerted efforts between government agencies and private sector institutions because this is a national festival and will have positive effects on stimulating trade and tourism, attracting new investments and brands, and creating job opportunities for our youth. The benefit will not be limited to the capital Amman, but will include all governorates of the Kingdom.

Haj Tawfiq thanked the Jordanian Consulate in Dubai for helping organize the meeting, and the brothers in the Dubai government for their cooperation and willingness to put all their expertise to ensure the success of the Amman Shopping Festival, and the readiness of the Emirati side to support the establishment of an annual shopping festival in Amman and to receive a delegation from the Chamber to visit the Dubai Shopping Festival.

In turn, Al Khajah confirmed the full readiness to provide all support to the Amman Chamber of Commerce to help it organize its festival, and that the institution will work on developing a comprehensive program for the Chamber so that it can visit the places where the various festivals and events are held and see them on the ground and review all the procedures and details and meet with officials from each sector in the festival.

Al Khajah referred to the good cooperation relations between Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, and the hope to strengthen them by building economic partnerships and benefiting from the trade agreements signed between the two countries.

He explained that the Dubai Shopping Festival includes holding events that attract visitors in addition to shopping, the most important of which are entertainment events, plays, artistic shows, children's entertainment areas, art and cultural exhibitions, food festivals, fireworks, raffles and prizes, or various sports competitions such as the Dubai Marathon and technology and innovation exhibitions.

Al Khajah pointed out that the UAE government works on the principle of partnership with the private sector to make the Dubai Shopping Festival a success, and ensure its continuity by offering real offers and discounts on products, monitoring prices, protecting consumers, and providing various possible means and facilities to hold the various festival events.

During the meeting, the Emirati side answered all inquiries from the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors of the Chamber about how to prepare and manage the Dubai Shopping Festival.

The meeting was attended by the Consul General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Dubai, Asem Ababneh, the First Vice Chairman of the Chamber, Nabil Al Khatib, the Deputy Secretary of the Chamber, Falah Al Sagheer, the Director of the Promotional Campaigns and Raffles Department at the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Abdullah Al Amiri, the Director of the Commercial Registration Department for the Retail Sector at the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Mohammed Araikat, the Director of Retail Festivals and Events at the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Maggie Abdel Baset, and the Senior Advisor for Retail and Festivals Strategies at the Establishment, Debra Greenwood.