Epitome of progress
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday night. AP
Inayat-Ur-Rahman, Business Editor and Sajjad Ahmad, Deputy Business Editor
The UAE has become an epitome of progress and achievement in the past 50 years. Today the blessed country is hosting Expo 2020 Dubai, the first mega event in the region. The whole nation is proud, jubilant and ecstatic.
The entire world including foreign diplomats, industry heavyweights, hoteliers, local traders, investors and business analysts, has paid tributes and well-wishes to the Rulers and people of the country for making the dream into reality.
Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber, said: The UAE has shown the world what is possible through its remarkable transformation and progress. Expo 2020, coinciding with the UAE’s 50th anniversary in 2021, engages people in this journey, inspires the next generation, and, together, sparks innovations that will kick-start another 50 years of purposeful progress, contributing to the nation’s continued prosperity and enabling growth in the region and beyond. More than 80 per cent of Expo’s infrastructure will live on in the future city of District 2020 – a model global community for the future that will use state-of-the-art innovation, science and sustainability to create a cleaner, safer, healthier environment to live and work .
Expo 2020 Dubai is design for innovation and impact, catalyzing opportunities for sustainable growth across all sectors. The mega event brings together 192 countries and millions of visitors, to inspire meaningful change and showcase innovations from around the world that can help countries build a brighter future. Businesses participating in Expo can tap into Dubai’s competitive advantages, explore new growth opportunities in the region and boost their global profile. It represents an unprecedented opportunity for businesses of all sizes, international organisations and government entities from across the world, to come together to foster a more diversified and resilient global economy.
READ MORE
A charismatic figure who made it possible
Expo 2020 Dubai launches its official and business apps
As the Official Business Integration Partner for Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai Chamber is promoting the mega event on a global scale, locally, regionally and internationally. The Chamber is bringing UAE companies and their international counterparts together to network and explore exciting business prospects at its dedicated on-site facility at Expo 2020. This strategic partnership offers an ideal opportunity to train and empower a new generation of entrepreneurs.”
Ambassador Javed Malik, President of Diplomat Business Club, former Pakistani Ambassador to Bahrain: Under the wise leadership of its dynamic and visionary Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Dubai is fully ready to welcome the entire world to what promises to be the greatest expo in history, something the world has never seen before.
Dubai Expo has already made history, as it is for the first time ever that the world expo is being held in the entire Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. Within a short span of 50 years, the progress and prosperity that the UAE has achieved is indeed phenomenal, and this is a great tribute to the leadership His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the government of UAE for positioning the UAE as the leading Hub of Business, Trade, Commerce and Tourism.
Millions of people who visit the UAE for the Expo would find a vibrant country with an excellent social fabric that positively blends together various cultures and traditions by welcoming everyone with an open heart offering a lifestyle that is unparalleled around the world. Dubai Expo would also usher in a new era of economic activity and pave the way for investment into the country and also create opportunities for expanding global trade. What is particularly important is to see that Dubai is becoming a hub for digital and tech businesses, and as the world moves towards digital transformation there is no better place than UAE for major tech giants to be positioned here. All of us who live here and those who are coming from other countries are all equally excited to welcome Dubai Expo and it is extremely impressive to see 190 countries showcasing themselves in unison under the common theme ‘Connecting Minds and Creating the Future’ . Indeed, it is by connecting our minds that we can truly be on course towards sustainability, mobility and opportunity the three key elements which define Dubai Expo 2020. On behalf of the expatriate community living, working and doing business in UAE we are all excited to welcome our friends and colleagues from around the world and show them this great country that we call home.
Ahmed Shaikhani, President Pakistan Business Council (PBC) greeted the UAE leadership for hosting the mega event. The PBC president, who is also a prominent businessman, disclosed that Expo 2020 would certainly be beneficial for the development of the region, which will entice the interest of foreign investors and entrepreneurs. It will transform the economic landscape of the UAE and generate a boost in sectors such as tourism, hospitality and construction. Many companies from around the globe do not operate from the Middle East or have invested in the region previously, however with Expo 2020 it will play an integral setting a platform of attracting these businesses to the UAE.
Shazia Siraj, Press Counsellor, Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai: Today UAE stands proudly in the comity of nations as the first country to organise a post pandemic mega event- Expo 2020. Today UAE opens its doors to over 192 countries to celebrate togetherness and work for a great future. With the start of this mega international event, UAE has become the first country in the world to beat the pandemic successfully and welcome nations to the greatest exhibition of trade, tourism, culture, technology and innovation. This event promises to showcase the best from every part of the world at one place- Expo 2020 Dubai.
This indeed is a great achievement. It is a result of tremendous efforts and visionary leadership of the country. On this momentous day I congratulate leadership and people of UAE on behalf of leadership and people of Pakistan. We pray for the success of the event, continued progress and prosperity of the UAE and for further strengthening and deepening of the special fraternal bonds between UAE and Pakistan.
As our Emirati brothers and sisters celebrate this momentous occasion, Pakistanis join them wholeheartedly in this event. We welcome our Emiratis brethren and sisters and people coming from all parts of the world to Pakistan Pavilion to experience Pakistani culture, rich tradition, history and exotic cuisine.
We wish success of the event to UAE and to all countries participating in Expo 2020, Dubai.
Dr Azad Moopen , Founder Chairman & Managing Director , Aster DM Healthcare: Expo 2020 is expected to be a game changer for UAE and neighbouring countries as it brings the world together on a single platform. It shows the confidence of Dubai and UAE to the whole world, through rolling out of the Expo – a large scale event for six months, in spite of Covid-19 still being a challenge in some parts of the world. “Being one of the world’s most vaccinated country, UAE is rightly placed to host this mega event. The Expo will be a great opportunity for the common man to see the newest and best technologies and will also open doors for start-ups, corporates, public and private sector enterprises to showcase their products and services to a global audience. It is a huge opportunity for all the participating countries to showcase and attract investments and form partnerships to expand abroad.”
“At Aster, we are eagerly looking forward to utilising the opportunity through our presence at the Expo 2020 venue as well as all parts of Dubai, providing medical care and products to the visitors and residents”.
Chaudhry Khalid Hussain, President, Pakistan Social Centre Sharjah: Expo 2020 would add more flavor to the UAE’s economic growth as the country is the right platform to communicate the world’s most brilliant ideas, bringing the global community together to learn, share and grow, while introducing significant new technologies and innovations.
“Besides, the UAE has the status of being a transport and logistics hub. With major international airports, Dubai is represented as an airport city with the urban layout, infrastructure and economy centred around its airports.
Diana Magariu, CEO, Key One Realty Group: In appreciation of the organisers of Expo 2020, I’d like to express my admiration for the commitment and work they have put in to launch this mega event in the midst of these unprecedented challenges. Seeing your work come to life must be exhilarating and I can only imagine how proud they are of themselves and how proud the rulers of this nation are of them.
I extend my congratulations and applause to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and his team for a successful opening and becoming a pacemaker in innovation among the Middle East countries.
Expo 2020 is more than just an event to invite visitors and clients to the country. It is a mega exposition for new players to penetrate the UAE’s market – not just in one specific sector but in multiple. When people come to visit, they won’t just come for a day. A lot would take a week or two – or even a month or more just to really be able to take in Expo 2020 in its entirety.
Obviously, they wouldn’t just visit the site and then go back to their hotels. Most would want to experience UAE and its beauty through exploring the country as much as they can. The retail industry, hospitality, tourism, and F&B are sure to be directly affected by this behavior.
Not only that, but the 6-month event is a chance for the nation to show visitors and investors alike what life in the UAE is like and the benefits of settling and starting a business here. Seeing as Expo 2020 is situated near major free zone areas like Jebel Ali and Dubai South, it is the perfect opportunity for investors to see that there is still a lot of room to penetrate the UAE market.
Muzamil Shaikhani, Director, Rubber World Industries: I would like to extend the warmest congratulations to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as well as everyone in the UAE, from the government to citizens and residents, on the beginning of a new era in Dubai’s economic development.
We envisage tremendous opportunities ahead as the UAE continues to provide economic stability, national diversity, a more of career opportunities, security and safety, as well as global infrastructure and technology favorable to investment and business growth.
The UAE managed the COVID-19 pandemic very effectively, which had a beneficial influence on the entire industry, prompting it to rebuild from the effects of last year’s virus spread. Expo 2020 Dubai is projected to change the UAE’s economic landscape, since the major event will significantly enhance tourism, business, and other industries in various parts of the nation.
S Gopinath, Chief Strategic Officer, Canadian Specialist Hospital: We are excited to witness Expo 2020 presenting next-gen healthcare innovations in the backdrop of the global pandemic as people across the world are seeking resources to safeguard their health and an ever-improving quality of life.
At the Expo, the world will witness advanced solutions to overcome healthcare challenges and tackle emergency situations and evolving developments.
Dr Mostafa Al Guezeri, Managing Director, Hitachi ABB Power Grids: “Being a global leader in power grids, Hitachi ABB Power Grids will take this opportunity to showcase the world’s best ideas and solutions for achieving sustainable development and protecting the environment.
The Expo is a great opportunity for us to show the world how to face the challenge of growing energy demand while minimizing environmental impact for a sustainable future. We will showcase at the Expo its latest innovative technologies and solutions in the electrification of transportation, industry and building sectors, renewable energy, social innovation, digitalization, and sustainability. At Expo we see a great opportunity to meet customers and partners from around the world in the Swedish pavilion to showcase world-class Swedish technology together with other companies. Driving the shift towards a carbon-neutral society – together with electric mobility and sustainable energy. Across the world, city residents expect an ever-improving quality of life having cleaner, safer, more convenient, reliable, flexible, accessible, and mobile resources.”
