Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Hospitality and Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at transforming the region’s large-scale event catering sector. Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two leading UAE-based entities will jointly provide end-to-end hospitality solutions across major events in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The agreement brings together DWTC’s experience in venue-based hospitality services with EKFC’s global-scale food production capabilities. The collaboration will offer fully integrated services, including culinary development, staffing, logistics, and operational execution for events ranging from government showcases to high-profile exhibitions.

“This strategic partnership marks a pivotal milestone,” said Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President at DWTC. “Together, we are delivering seamless hospitality experiences for millions of guests, while setting new standards for innovation, quality, and service excellence.”

Shahreyar Nawabi, CEO of Emirates Flight Catering, emphasized the partnership’s operational scale and consistency. “This collaboration brings together two industry leaders with complementary strengths to deliver a reliable and world-class catering experience across any event format.”

The initiative will begin with immediate effect, including a joint engagement at the upcoming Dubai Airshow, where both partners will provide catering and hospitality services for VIP areas, including the Royal Pavilion and the UAE Ministry of Defence.

The partnership is also expected to play a key role in delivering services for other flagship events such as GITEX Global, the Dubai International Boat Show, and the Dubai World Cup.

As part of the collaboration, DWTC and EKFC will introduce new food service models at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC). These include semi-permanent food outlets, mobile concepts, and pilot retail-ready offerings aimed at enhancing flexibility and speed of service across event formats.

Looking ahead, the ongoing AED 10 billion expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre is expected to create further opportunities for operational collaboration, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global leader in hosting large-scale international events.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.