Kuwait learns from Dubai's experience

A delegation from Kuwait's Hala February Festival met Hussain Ali Lootah, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Shopping Festival, and discussed ways of enhancing the festival's role in the Kuwait Festival.

The delegation comprised Dr Dawood M. Al Saleh, Governor of Capital Governorate, State of Kuwait, Madi Al Khamees, Media Advisor to Hala February and Faten Al Mahini, Public Relations Director, State of Kuwait's Capital Governorate.

The delegation was in Dubai to see Dubai Shopping Festival 2001 events at first hand and hold discussions with festival organisers. After the meeting, which also included Ibrahim Saleh, the festival's Deputy CEO, Lootah said: "We welcome all visitors, specially our brothers from the GCC. We are more than happy to offer them assistance to organise festivals on the lines of the DSF."

"We do not claim to surpass other festivals, because we are still learning," Lootah added. "Since DSF is a pioneer and has a longer experience in organising shopping festivals, our brothers from Arab countries come to us to learn from our experience in putting together so many attractive events, and also to enjoy them."

Lootah said the Dubai Shopping Festival was keenly following the festivals in brotherly Arab countries and was in regular contact with the organisers, and was aware of the effort they put in to ensure their success.

"We believe that the boost in the surrounding markets reflects on the success of DSF," said Lootah. "This success cannot be attributed to individual initiatives but is the result of team work between all sectors, government or private."

Earlier this week, Lootah had also received a delegation from the Tourism Department of Hong Kong which came here to watch the festival experience, as the Gov-ernment of Hong Kong is planning a similar festival in Hong Kong.