Dubai, UAE, 15 November 2023: Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, signed a strategic partnership agreement with Milano Durini Design Association to promote collaboration, information exchange and networking opportunities across education and business spheres in the design sectors.

The partnership will open a gateway for Italian creative talent and businesses to tap into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through d3 and raise the profile of Dubai’s creative ecosystem in international markets, further strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for the design and creative industries.

The strategic partnership was signed between the two parties at Dubai Design Week, the region's largest creative festival, which took place last week at d3. The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including HE Giuseppe Finocchario, Consul General of Italy; Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President of Commercial – TECOM Group; Massimo Salamone, President and Founder of Milano Durini Design Association; and Khadija AI Bastaki, Senior Vice President of d3 – TECOM Group.  

Milano Durini Design is an association that aims to enhance its district by delivering maximum value to places, institutions and association members with a particular focus on the interior design sector and its stakeholders.

Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of d3 – part of TECOM Group, said: “Growing the profile of Dubai’s creative talent international in key global markets is a key part of our mission at d3. Our partnership with the Milano Durini Design Association sees us align with an organisation at the heart of Milan’s creative design community – a design community with a prestigious legacy and influence. Together, we will work to create inspiring opportunities for education and learning, cultural exchange and new business. By bringing world-class creative opportunities and influencers here to Dubai, we can further diversify our global creative community and reinforce Dubai as a central hub for the creative industries.”

Massimo Salamone, President and Founder of Milano Durini Design Association said: “Dubai has really set itself apart in the global creative spheres: its rise as a creative capital and its growing pool of global talent and brands are a sign that Dubai is the place to be if you’re in the creative industry. We’re thrilled to tap into Dubai Design District’s diverse and innovative creative community, that can bring cultural enrichment to both parties, connecting our longstanding ecosystem with ideas, opportunities and experiences that span geographies and cultures. The agreement signed is a further step by the Milano Durini Design Association towards a programme of internationalisation of creativity and design culture for companies based in the heart of Milan, which goes beyond Milan Design Week in April. Just as in Milan, Dubai Design District is a landmark that is now the headquarters of important brands in the world of fashion, beauty and design who want to expand their outlets in the GCC countries. It is a synergy that will support design companies in a market rich in opportunities today.”

Raising the profile of Dubai’s creative sector

The strategic partnership will see d3 and Milano Durini Design Association promote knowledge sharing and education opportunities for students and professionals. The two organisations will introduce Dubai- and Milan-based educational institutions to facilitate collaborative learning opportunities, including bespoke lectures, exchange programmes, and ongoing education in design, as well as corporate training, design competitions and student project collaborations. By creating a knowledge highway between the two creative districts, d3 and Milano Durini Design Association will contribute to the growing design sector by raising the bar for excellence and innovation.

Milano Durini Design Association will establish a base at d3 to host exhibitions and temporary showcases, as well as offer venues for d3 to host networking events in Italy. The association will further promote d3’s endeavours in Italy with the aim of raising awareness for its creative community and its position as a global hub for creativity.

The agreement is in line with the long-term goals of Dubai Creative Economy Strategy and Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ and will pave the way for d3 to explore opportunities to strengthen Dubai’s creative ecosystem globally.

Dubai Design District (d3) is part of TECOM Group’s business district portfolio, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Science Park and Dubai Industrial City.