The Dubai Shopping Festival 2002 (DSF) will proceed with even better promotions and activities despite recent world events, chairman of the DSF Supreme Committee, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, has said.

Shaikh Ahmed, who is also the president of Dubai's Department of Civil Aviation and Emirates Group chairman, said Dubai keeps its promises.

He told a gathering of key sponsors and patrons of the annual festival, which takes place during March, that Dubai had no intention of altering its projects and plans.

Hussain Ali Lootah, deputy director general of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and CEO of DSF, said the total budget for DSF 2002 is Dh75 million ($20 million), with tactical promotions being launched with tour operators.

"We are sending the message that everything is on in Dubai, business is happening and Dubai will never stop its projects," he said.

Organisers refused to say what new attractions and promotions were planned, but one major change will be the relocation of the Global Village to the 1,200 acre Dubai Festival City site.