To commemorate the latest stage of construction on the Phase 2 development of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company has buried a time capsule in the foundations of the building.

Named ‘a moment in time’, the capsule contains a series of artefacts that give an insight into daily life in Abu Dhabi in 2007. There’s a book on HH Sheikh Zayed, the late president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), two newspapers published on the day of the concrete pour, a pack of information about Abu Dhabi, an ADNEC brochure, an Abu Dhabi baseball cap, a bag of Arabic incense. a child’s drawing of Abu Dhabi in 2007 and a letter from ADNEC to be read by whoever opens the capsule in the future.

Commenting on the event, ADNEC chief executive Simon Horgan, said: “By burying this time capsule we will be preserving a piece of the history of the UAE, from the exact moment in time that we began to pour concrete on the Phase 2 development of ADNEC. When this simple box is exhumed, it will give a unique insight into everyday life in Abu Dhabi in 2007 – a time when ADNEC and the entire emirate of Abu Dhabi are at the beginning of something very special.”

Attending the ceremony were senior representatives from ADNEC, as well as architects and representatives from construction company Arabtec, RMJM and project managers MACE.

Phase 2 of ADNEC will see the venue double in size to become the Middle East's largest purpose-built exhibition centre with inter-connected exhibition floor space totalling more than 55,000 square metres. The exhibition centre's distinctive U-shape design will be achieved by constructing five additional exhibition halls, a multi-purpose hall with seating for more than 5,000 people, 15 meeting rooms and two multi-storey car parks with space for more than 8,000 vehicles. The project is scheduled for completion in autumn 2008.