Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood visits the Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai on Sunday. WAM

In an official ceremony at the Expo 2020 Dubai site on Sunday, the Pakistan Pavilion was handed over to the Pakistani authorities after completion of building civil works.

The pavilion is located in the 'Opportunity District' and has a total covered area of 35,000 Sqft. The inner journey of the Pavilion is set under the theme ‘Pakistan: The Hidden Treasure’ with an aim to enhance tourism, commerce and investment in Pakistan.

Present on the occasion were Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Commerce & Investment, Muhammad Sualeh Ahmed Faruqui, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Afzaal Mahmood, Ambassador of Pakistan to UAE, Ahsan Ali Mangi, Secretary Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and other officers from Embassy, Consulate and TDAP.

Abdul Razak Dawood in a meeting with Expo 2020 Dubai team on the occasion of handing over of Pakistan Pavilion.

Omar Shehadeh, Chief International Participants Officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer at Expo 2020 Dubai and Ahmed Al Hamdan, Country Manager for Pakistan at Expo 2020 Dubai were also present.

Expo 2020 is now scheduled to be held from Oct.1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 under the theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the future."

The Expo 2020 site is spread over an area of 4.38 square kilometres with more than 200 Participants Pavilions million of visitors from across the globe are expected to visit the Expo during the six months duration of the event. The entire area is divided into three main Districts i.e. Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.

On the occasion Abdul Razak Dawood said that Pakistan is bestowed with natural beauty, historical and religious sites, highest peaks and calm deserts. It is the destination for mountaineers, historians, archaeologists, writers, photographers and many such tourists. "Through our theme at Expo 2020 Dubai, we plan to present and showcase the land of opportunities to promote tourism, commerce and investment in the country," he added.

On the sidelines, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan is also planning six months of programming events, which will comprise of Trade & Investment seminars and conferences, cultural shows and events etc.

Pakistan side thanked the leadership and government of the UAE and Expo 2020 authorities for their support and cooperation throughout the construction phase of Pakistan Pavilion and expressed hope for same cooperation and support until the successful completion of the event.

WAM