Dental Conference in Dubai Generates Business Deals Worth $3.9 Billion

 UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition concludes its activities.
UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition concludes its activities.
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Dental Conference in Dubai Generates Business Deals Worth $3.9 Billion

 UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition concludes its activities.
UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition concludes its activities.

The UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition – AEEDC Dubai 2022 has generated record-breaking business deals worth $3.9 billion ($14.4 billion dirhams).

AEEDC Dubai attracted 66,000 participants from 155 countries and showcased 4,800 state-of-the-art products from 3,600 major dental and public health companies in the field of oral hygiene and dentistry.

The event featured a total of 22 official country pavilions.

The exhibition and conference also saw several training courses, workshops, and student poster competitions.

Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of the Global Scientific Dental Alliance, and Chairman of INDEX Holding, said: “We are proud of the successes generated by the event over the years.”

“The exceptional volume of direct and subsidiary deals worth $3.9 billion concluded at the event validates the global community’s confidence in the UAE as a venue for industry events,” he added.

The UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition Dubai, which will hold its next event in February 2023, is supported by Dubai Health Authority, Scientific Global Dental Alliance, Dental Federation, Executive Board of the Health Ministers Council for Gulf Cooperation Council States, Gulf Health Council, Riyadh Elm University, Arab Academy for Continuing Dental Education, Saudi Dental Society, Saudi Orthodontic Society, Saudi Prosthodontic Society, and others.



Tourism Minister: Saudi Arabia Sees 27% Increase in Incoming Tourists in 9 Months

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb speaks at the 2025 Budget Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb speaks at the 2025 Budget Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Tourism Minister: Saudi Arabia Sees 27% Increase in Incoming Tourists in 9 Months

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb speaks at the 2025 Budget Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb speaks at the 2025 Budget Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's tourism sector continues to achieve remarkable growth, as incoming tourist numbers surged by 27% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to a 14% increase during the same period last year, said Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 2025 Budget Forum in Riyadh, Al Khateeb underscored the sector's significant progress toward realizing the goals of Vision 2030.

International tourist arrivals for recreational purposes increased by an extraordinary 600% in 2023 from 2018, he revealed, adding that the rise has been complemented by a boost in visitors arriving for religious purposes, with the Kingdom encouraging such visitors to explore other cities to experience natural and archaeological sites.

The minister said rural tourism has also gained popularity, with increasing demand reported across the Kingdom's diverse regions. By the end of 2023, tourism's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) reached 5%, and efforts are underway to achieve a 10% contribution by 2030.

Al Khateeb highlighted the economic impact of the sector, noting a surplus of over SAR 41 billion in the balance of payments during the first half of 2024, compared to SAR 48.1 billion for the entirety of 2023. This marks a significant turnaround from 2018 when the balance recorded a deficit of SAR 10 billion, said the minister.

Employment in the tourism sector has also grown substantially, with the number of jobs increasing from 750,000 to 960,000, and localization within the hospitality sector reaching 35%, he added.

The Ministry of Tourism, under the leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, is investing heavily in training and developing local talent.

The ministry allocates an annual budget of SAR 375 million to support the qualification and training of up to 100,000 Saudis, including over 10,000 opportunities at world-class institutes, enabling them to take on leadership roles within the industry, Al Khateeb stressed.