Spreading unity and coexistence
A musical band performs at the Expo 2020 Dubai. Kamal Kassim, Gulf Today
The celebration was also attended by Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimey, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of the Expo 2020 Dubai Office, Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, and several senior officials and foreign and Arab ambassadors to the UAE.
The celebration began with raising the country’s flag and a number of folklore performances.
“Today, as we celebrate our National Day, we feel hopeful and optimistic as we are seeing wide and renewed prospects for our fruitful national efforts, and we are proud our beloved country has established unity, coexistence and respect for everyone. We send a message of peace and compassion to the entire world, underscored by the leading Emirati model of tolerance, progress and growth. These messages are manifested in this major international event, which is achieving global successes every day. For the first time, 192 countries are gathering at Expo 2020 Dubai amidst critical conditions,” Sheikh Nahyan said.
“We have started a new phase of achievements, supported by the strong belief in our people and the wisdom of our leadership and our commitment to the values of human fraternity. We are open to cooperating with the world’s communities to achieve prosperity and wellbeing,” he added.
Strengthening bilateral relations : The India Pavilion on Thursday marked the UAE’s 50th National Day and presented an array of cultural performances showcasing a unique fusion of India’s and UAE’s culture.
India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles and Leader of House in Rajya Sabha, Shri Piyush Goyal said in a tweet message: “I extend my best wishes to the leadership & people of UAE on the occasion of their 50th National Day. India Pavilion @Expo2020Dubai is a testament to solid bonds of friendship & extensive cooperation India & UAE share. Wishing 50 more years of peace & prosperity.”
The UAE National Day celebrations hosted at the Amphitheatre at India Pavilion. Various dance groups including Balle Balle Dubai, The Punjabi Dance Group and Dhol Tasha performed at the ceremony to highlight India’s festive spirit and its support to the UAE, an important strategic partner for India.
Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to UAE, congratulated UAE on its 50th National Day, and said, “UAE is one of India’s most valued partners. The two nations have always shared a commitment to openness, peaceful coexistence and social harmony that are based on their cultural traditions, spiritual values and shared heritage.”
UAE’s 50th National Day is of great importance to India as it was on 2nd December 1971 when the bilateral relations between the two countries strengthened with the unification of the UAE and the Federation coming into place; exactly 50 years ago. The cultural performances include the dance groups presenting an amalgamation of Indian dances with Arabic Music, representing the true essence of the UAE and its achievements in the last 50 years and the peaceful co-existence of varied culture in one nation.
India is UAE’s second largest trading partner, and the total volume of trade was estimated at $43 billion in 2020-21. India and the UAE are working together relentlessly to ensure a long-term growth in the coming years. India has commenced negotiations with the UAE to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which will help in leveraging the complementarities in trade between the two countries and see a quantum jump in the bilateral merchandise trade as well.
The Expo 2020 Dubai has been a catalyst for a stronger collaboration between India and the UAE and continues to grow and strengthen further. Besides showcasing India as an important destination on an international platform, the Expo has played a pivotal role in the recovery from the repercussions of the pandemic, the bilateral trade is gradually seeing signs of picking up and is expected to reach pre-covid level soon.
Both India and the UAE are optimistic to deepen the trade ties despite the inherent challenges. The synergies, shared vision and complementary strengths of India and the UAE present a rare opportunity to contribute to the progress of not only our two countries, but also for the larger region and the world.
The year 2021 has been an important milestone as India is celebrating its 75th year of Independence and the UAE is celebrating its 50th year of unification. This auspicious year is a stepping stone to an even stronger strategic partnership that will resonate with success in the years to come.
French companies visit Expo: On the occasion of the fortnight for Peace at the Expo 2020 Dubai, Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region (northern France), visited the United Arab Emirates from November 23 to 25, 2021, along with a large delegation composed of 14 companies labelled Living Heritage Companies (EPV), which is the highest recognition mark from the French government to distinguish companies industrial and artisanal know-how in France.
The aim of this mission was to promote Normandy Region and its companies, its sectors of excellence in the fields of technology, luxury wear, textiles and education such as the Normandy Management School getting ready to open a branch in Dubai by September 2022.
The delegation also attended a conference on the theme of “Normandy for Peace” followed by a networking event at the terrace of the France Pavilion at Expo 2020 in the presence of the French Ambassador to the UAE Xavier Chatel and the UAE business community.
“I’m happy to see that smile on the faces of the business leaders we brought to Dubai this week. Contacts have been made, appointments have been noted, especially in Normandy for the spring. For some, first-time exporters, the step has been taken. The UAE investors we met also understood that Normandy is not just cows under apple trees in front of a half-timbered house. Normandy is also a land for the future,“ commented Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region.
Normandy is home to 60 companies labelled “ Living Heritage Companies “ (EPV), which testifies to the richness of the region’s industrial and artisanal know-how in a wide variety of sectors ranging from agro-food to textiles, including the renovation of old buildings and foundries. The strength of ARSEN (the Regional Association of Excellence know-how in Normandy) lies in the association of recognised companies, developing start-ups, in a spirit of cross-fertilisation combining tradition and innovation.
Setting up of the Management School Campus in Dubai Wednesday, November 24, Hervé Morin, Jean-Louis Grégoire, President of EM Normandie, and Elian Pilvin, Director General of EMN, presented, within the France Pavilion, the project for the establishment of the School’s campus of Management of Normandy in Dubai, in presence of representatives of the Dubai Knowledge Park, the Tecom group, the French Embassy and the French Institute in the United Arab Emirates.
EMN’s new campus in Dubai, which will cost 2.5 million euro to build, is due to open in September 2022 at the Dubai Knowledge Park. It will be able to accommodate 200 students.
