OREANDA-NEWS. November 11, 2015. Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced at the Dubai Airshow a Memorandum of Agreement with Dubai South, outlining the company’s intention to establish its Middle East headquarters in the city’s Aviation District.

The agreement was confirmed at a private signing ceremony attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation (the parent organization of Dubai South); Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation; Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing president and CEO; Raymond Conner, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes; Marc Allen, president, Boeing International; and Bernard Dunn, president, Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.

Speaking at the ceremony, High Highness Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said: “I congratulate Boeing on its strategic decision to establish its regional headquarters at Dubai South – a city that embodies Dubai’s aerospace vision. I am confident that the new address will deliver a solid advantage to Boeing as it seeks to expand its footprint in Dubai and in the region.”

The agreement details a framework for Boeing’s operations to be housed at the recently rebranded Dubai South, previously known as Dubai World Central, which will include Boeing Middle East’s headquarters, a spare parts warehouse, a distribution facility and a maintenance training facility to service the region. The aim is to solidify plans in 2016 and commence operations by the end of 2017.

 “Boeing is the world’s leading aerospace company, and to ensure our regional competitiveness, we have taken a strategic decision to establish our regional headquarters in what will become an unrivaled logistics and aviation hub,” said Muilenburg. “This agreement demonstrates Boeing’s commitment to our customers in the region and support for the Dubai government’s vision for Dubai South.”

In July 2016, Boeing will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Building on the company’s inspiring legacy, Boeing wants to build an even better future, globally and in the Middle East.

About Boeing

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company designing and manufacturing commercial and military airplanes, rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing is the prime contractor for the International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing provides products and support services to customers in 150 countries and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales. Headquartered in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 165,000 people across the United States and in more than 65 countries. Total company revenues for 2014 were more than \\$90 billion.

About Dubai South

Dubai South – the rebranded Dubai World Central – is an emerging 145 sq. km. city situated within the emirate of Dubai that will ultimately sustain a population of one million. Launched as a Government of Dubai project in 2006, the city is mandated to embody the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum by manifesting the urban and societal themes as outlined in the Dubai Plan 2021. These themes relate to becoming a city of happy, creative and empowered people, an inclusive and cohesive society; the preferred place to live, work and invest, a smart and sustainable city, and a pivotal hub in the Dubai South’s economic platform supports every conceivable kind of business and industry. The city is also home to the now-operational Al Maktoum International Airport –the largest airport in the world when complete – and the World Expo 2020.