Dubai is preparing to transform into a global gaming epicenter as the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025 announces its most ambitious edition yet. Organized by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) in alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, this year’s festival promises to elevate the city’s status as a hub for digital entertainment while creating new opportunities in the burgeoning esports sector.

DEF 2025 caters to every level of gaming enthusiast, from casual players to professional esports athletes, with an expansive program featuring cutting-edge technology demonstrations, high-stakes competitions, and family-friendly activities. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said, “The Dubai Esports and Gaming Festival is more than a citywide celebration; it is a catalyst for the gaming industry in the region and beyond. With an exciting calendar of events spanning premier esports tournaments and engaging interactive showcases, we are once again curating a dynamic programme that fosters digital innovation, nurtures homegrown talent, and encourages entrepreneurial growth. This aligns perfectly with Dubai’s vision for a thriving knowledge economy, supporting SMEs, and creating new career opportunities in the gaming and esports sector.”

The festival’s flagship event returns to Dubai World Trade Centre from 9-11 May with expanded facilities in Zabeel Halls 2 and 3. Attendees can explore eight specialized zones including the nostalgic Retro Zone featuring classic arcade cabinets, the family-oriented Emirates NBD zone with multiplayer consoles, and two exciting new additions: The Quest: The New IRL Zone testing real-world skills through physical challenges, and the Just Dance Zone in partnership with Ubisoft hosting live dance competitions.

Competitive gaming takes center stage in the Main Arena with premier titles like League of Legends and PUBG Mobile, while the Gaming District hosts continuous 5v5 tournaments. The Narrows marketplace offers exclusive merchandise, complemented by dedicated food zones curated by talabat. Play Beyond returns on 10-11 May featuring regional superstar Abo Flah alongside top gaming influencers in special exhibition matches. Technology partners showcase groundbreaking experiences including the Web3 Pavilion’s fitness-to-crypto rewards system, Red Bull’s racing challenges, and the GCC debut of The Vintage Company’s rare collectibles exhibition.

The 11 May Cosplay Championship offers AED 30,000 in prizes for spectacular costume artistry, while the Educational Engagement Programme on 8 May introduces students to esports careers through workshops and competitions with AED 50,000 in academic prizes. New components include the mobile Game Quest Express truck touring schools and Cool Career Talks challenging students to propose gaming-based solutions for social impact.

The GameExpo Summit on 7-8 May convenes 100+ speakers to discuss gaming trends, investment opportunities, and technological advancements, culminating in the MENA Games Awards. Competitive players can participate in the DEF PlayStation Cup’s EA FC 25 finals (9 May) with a $10,000 prize pool or the Yalla Ludo Challenge running 29 April-6 May. Early bird tickets start at AED 29 for students, with family packages and premium influencer meet-and-greet options available via Platinumlist. Rove Hotels offers 25% discounts for attendees, while Dubai World Trade Centre provides extensive parking including EV charging stations and discounted rates for festival visitors.

Reporting from Hong Kong: Hong Kong, often celebrated as Asia’s World City, unveiled its much-anticipated Business of Innovation and Technology (BIT) Week 2025 today (April 13). The opening ceremony, officiated by Financial Secretary Mr. Paul Chan, marked the start of a dynamic lineup of exhibitions, dialogues, summits, and festivals aimed at fostering global collaboration, driving innovation, and exploring the future of the digital economy.

Welcoming a distinguished audience that included prominent officials such as Mr. Xu Xiaolan, member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Vice Governor Zhao Yan of the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government;  and Director-General Wang Weiming of the Liaison Office; Mr. Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s strategic role as a hub for innovation and technology enterprises.

Unique Advantages of Hong Kong
In his speech, Mr. Chan emphasized Hong Kong’s unparalleled advantages under the “one country, two systems” arrangement. These include seamless access to Mainland China and wider Asian markets, a robust common law system with strong intellectual property protection, and an environment that brings together international talent and capital. These strengths, he noted, make Hong Kong an ideal launchpad for businesses seeking to expand in Asia and beyond.

Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem reflects this dynamism, with over 4,700 startups—28% of which have founders from outside the city—showcasing groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics, green technology, and more. BIT Week participants were encouraged to explore InnoEX, a centerpiece exhibition featuring these cutting-edge innovations.

Navigating Challenges Amid a Changing Global Landscape
Acknowledging the “new normal” shaped by global trade tensions and technological fragmentation, Mr. Chan reaffirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to openness and free trade. He underlined the city’s resilience and its dedication to fostering new connections and partnerships amidst a rapidly evolving economic environment.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Chan extended gratitude to organizers, exhibitors, and participants for making BIT Week a reality. He also invited international visitors to enjoy Hong Kong’s vibrant culture, scenic landscapes, Michelin-recommended cuisine, and world-class attractions, including the recently opened Kai Tak Stadium and landmark museums.

BIT Week 2025 promises to solidify Hong Kong’s position as a leading hub for innovation and technology, paving the way for a future of collaboration and growth.

Reporting from Hong Kong: Driven by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week) returns in April 2025. As core events of BIT Week, the 3rd InnoEX and the 21st Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) will be staged concurrently from 13 to 16 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The two exhibitions will showcase global innovation and technology (I&T) achievements, leading-edge electronics products, and advanced technology solutions addressing various business pain points. Industry professionals, investors, buyers, and technology users from different sectors, including SMEs are encouraged to attend the fairs.

Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “This year’s InnoEX and Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) attracted more than 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions, reflecting the strong international appeal of the events. InnoEX will spotlight hot trends such as the low-altitude economy and AI, while EFSE will showcase a range of electronic products designed for smart living. As core events of the BIT Week, the two exhibitions will foster global innovation and technology (I&T) collaboration and accelerate Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T hub.”

Under the theme “Innovation • Automate • Elevate,” InnoEX 2025 will showcase groundbreaking technologies from an impressive roster of international participants. Exhibitors from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao will join counterparts across Asia, including ASEAN members Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, along with India, Japan, and Korea. European innovation will be represented by France, Luxembourg, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, while Australia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates round out this global gathering of tech leaders.

The four-day event will dedicate each day to exploring specific technological frontiers, providing SMEs with practical solutions to overcome industry challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The opening day on April 13 will focus on two transformative themes: the low-altitude economy and technology-driven growth.

Following the HKSAR Government’s announcement of its first low-altitude economy Regulatory Sandbox pilot projects, InnoEX will present cutting-edge drone and air mobility solutions. Major Chinese manufacturers and a multinational consortium developing a “low-altitude smart network” will demonstrate their innovations. Industry experts will share strategic insights on developing this sector in Mainland China and examine Hong Kong’s potential role in this emerging field.

Concurrently, the Tech-Driven Industry and Economy Conference, organized by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, will assemble government officials and global technology leaders to examine innovation strategies and sustainable development pathways. This dual focus on practical applications and policy frameworks positions InnoEX 2025 as a must-attend event for anyone invested in the future of technology.

The second day of the exhibition (14 April) will delve into the transformative potential of AI and robotics, featuring discussions on how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing business efficiency alongside the latest advancements in robotic technologies.

On the third day (15 April), the focus shifts to cybersecurity, where experts will examine critical data protection challenges faced by infrastructure operators and share strategies to strengthen defenses against evolving cyber threats. The final day (16 April) will spotlight SME empowerment, with government officials introducing financial support schemes and technology providers presenting digital transformation tools designed to enhance competitiveness.

InnoEX serves as a dynamic platform for international R&D achievements, highlighted by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, which will demonstrate data-driven and AI applications. Over 100 daily-life innovations will be on display, including solutions from 20 government departments and award-winning projects such as the Drainage Services Department’s Gold Medal-winning “Tumbler Inspection Ball”—a robotic breakthrough in confined-space tunnel inspections.

Four leading R&D centers—ASTRI, HKRITA, LSCM, and NAMI—will present their latest advancements. InnoHK will feature 17 research labs, while Cyberport and Hong Kong Science Park will showcase 20 and 16 startups, respectively. The local pavilion will also include the B4B Challenge and the Smart City Consortium. Internationally, pavilions from Canada, the UK, and France’s “So French So Innovative” will highlight around 30 top tech enterprises. The Smart Cities Council will make its debut, further enriching the global perspective on smart urban development.

Aligning with national priorities in new quality productive forces, 17 pavilions from 16 Mainland provinces—including Beijing Zhongguancun, Chengdu, and Shenzhen—will participate. Leading firms such as Aerofugia Technology, Huawei, iFLYTEK, and Vertaxi will exhibit groundbreaking solutions. The HKTDC is actively inviting global government, industry, academic, and investment leaders to foster cross-border collaboration and accelerate the adoption of next-generation technologies. InnoEX 2025 stands as a pivotal event for driving innovation, facilitating partnerships, and shaping the future of technology across industries worldwide.

This year’s Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), themed “World’s Leading Electronics Marketplace,” will spotlight cutting-edge products and solutions across smart home technologies, health tech, and wearables. The event introduces an exciting new Product Design Pavilion featuring uniquely styled industrial design home appliances, while the returning Digital Entertainment Experiential Zone will immerse visitors in e-sports and interactive gaming experiences, including competitive boxing, rowing, sailing simulations, and robotic arm drawing demonstrations.

The fair’s comprehensive seminar series includes the Tech Trends Symposium on April 14, where industry pioneers will explore how AI integration with wearable devices – from smart glasses to rings and earphones – is transforming both workplace dynamics and lifestyle practices.

Recognizing talent as the foundation of technological progress, InnoEX and EFSE will jointly host “Exhibitors Meet Talents” on April 13, creating direct recruitment opportunities between job seekers and exhibitors across innovation, business development, and marketing sectors. Industry experts will also share valuable career guidance for entering Hong Kong’s thriving I&T landscape.

Startups will benefit from multiple networking platforms including the Hong Kong Value Creation for Technology initiative, featuring pitching competitions, mentorship sessions, investment matchmaking, and the Startup Smart Launch program – all designed to connect emerging businesses with potential investors and partners.

As part of the broader Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week) organized by the HKSAR Government’s Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and HKTDC, the event coincides with several major conferences. The Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference will gather top scientific minds, including Nobel laureates, to deliberate on breakthroughs in AI, big data, and biotech. The inaugural World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit (April 14-15) will further enhance regional collaboration.

Complementing these events, the 2nd Smart Lighting Expo and 16th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) continue until April 9, showcasing sustainable lighting innovations that advance smart living solutions and environmental sustainability. This convergence of global tech leaders, innovators, and investors positions Hong Kong BIT Week 2025 as the premier destination for discovering technological breakthroughs, forging strategic partnerships, and shaping the future of smart, connected industries worldwide.