Mario Abdo Benitez and Sheikh Nahyan with other dignitaries grace the occasion.

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

The Republic of Paraguay celebrated the country’s National Day at its Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion attended by  Mario Abdo Benitez, President of Paraguay and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner-General of Expo 2020.

 The National Day follows a recent announcement of the South American country on opening an embassy in the UAE to strengthen bilateral relations and two-way investments between the two countries and the region in general.

 The Paraguayan President was welcomed at the Expo by  Sheikh Mubarak Al Nahyan who said the UAE was pleased to have a prospering relationship with the country which is the world’s largest per capita producer of renewable energy.

 The Paraguayan President said participation at the show facilitated showcasing the country’s culture, economy and investment potential and this is expected to lead to enhancing relationship with the UAE, Middle East and countries across the globe.

 “The announcement of opening the embassy in the UAE and our keenness to look at the UAE as a vantage point and platform to expand our global trade stems from our long standing bilateral relationship. We are also immensely pleased to celebrate our National Day at the Expo which by virtue of the participation of many countries is a reflection of unity amidst a multitude of cultural, economic and political diversity,” said José Agüero Ávila, Commissioner General of the Paraguay Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

In a statement, officials of the Paraguay Pavilion said the National Day celebration was marked by a unique cultural performance at the Al Wasal Stage of the Nations, conducted by Tierra Adentro, a Latin American band considered the ambassadors of new Paraguayan folklore, accompanied by the Ballet Folklórico Iberoamericano, a group spreading Paraguayan culture around the world through the medium of dance.

Paraguay also held a Business Forum this week, the largest ever the country has done in this region, to elaborate on the economic and investment propositions of Paraguay.

Paraguay’s bilateral trade with the UAE in 2020 was to the tune of US$25.8 million with the UAE imports at US$19.5 million, leaving a large untapped potential to enhance trade. Paraguay is also a key agri exporter keen to collaborate with the UAE and the countries in the region to help support food security programmes.

Paraguay pavilion is located in the Mobility District of Expo 2020. It showcases the country’s scenic landscape and its resources and portraits an authentic Paraguayan experience through imposing artworks. Throughout the whole experience underlies the theme of the country Water linked Paraguay and it also offers a taste of its culture through the country’s ethnic music and dance forms.

Paraguay is the largest producer of renewable energy in the world: 100 % of the energy it produces is renewable. Paraguay is one of the largest food producers in the world as well. The country has the third largest river barge fleet on the planet which allows it to connect to the world through its rivers flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. Through water, Paraguay not only produces clean energy but also makes its production reach the world. The country was also ranked as the ‘world’s happiest place’.

Peru: Peru celebrated its National Day with color, flavor and culture at Expo 2020 Dubai, the most important exhibition in the world, as announced by the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism (PROMPERU).

The activities began with an official ceremony in charge of the representatives of Expo Dubai and the Peruvian delegation headed by the General Commissioner and executive president of PROMPERÚ, Amora Carbajal, in the presence of officials from the different countries attending the event.

The highlight of Peru’s celebration was a performance of the National Folk Ballet. This beautiful display of multicultural identity took viewers to a magical journey through the music and dances from coastal, Andean and Amazonian regions of the country.

“We have many reasons to celebrate Peru’s rapprochement with the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East, and the world. Today, March 7, our country captivated the world with artistic and folkloric presentations that belong to our rich cultural heritage and are also part of the heritage of humanity,” said Amora Carbajal, head of PROMPERÚ.

 Although the official activities for Peru Day have ended, the Peruvian festive spirit will continue to be present in Dubai for the next days. The artistic show “Wayra” will be performed in the Earth and Sea stages at Expo.

Furthermore, the Peru Pavilion will keep on promoting culture, biodiversity and business opportunities for the export, tourism and business investment sectors. Also, Peruvian cuisine masterclasses and tastings using attractive ingredients that are of commercial interest for the Arab market will be available for the visitors, as well as the splendid pisco and high-quality Peruvian coffee.

“The Peru Pavilion has exceeded expectations, receiving more than a million visitors and will exhibit until March 31 the most relevant aspects of Peruvian art and culture; in addition to a wide variety of agricultural, fishery, textile and various manufactured products”, reported the head of PROMPERÚ.

Expo 2020 Dubai is a meeting point for the global economic reactivation process and this international stage, which has the participation of more than 190 countries, represents a unique opportunity to boost the economy of the different regions of Peru through commercial platforms.