Private sector key for Expo

When the private sector comes forward, this will make Dubai’s case stronger, the minister said, who is also managing director of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Last week, the UAE submitted its final plans to host World Expo 2020 to the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions, or BIE. The final decision will be announced in November 2013.

No matter the size and industry there is a big pie for everyone, Al Hashimi said at Talk Expo 2020 on Monday, which was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with its idea of offering a crucial line of communication between the private and public sectors.

The networking meeting served as an open forum for representatives of the business councils and groups to interact with Al Hashimi.

Giving Dubai International and Jebel Ali Port as examples, she said that Dubai already has very significant infrastructure for big events and “we promised, we delivered.”

“More than its infrastructural facilities, Dubai has the capabilities and has a strong case as the emirate is a safe and secure place to live and holds good experience in organising and hosting world-class events,” she added. The meeting also shed light on the important role the private sector could play to support the bid, as well as to make business councils and groups, operating under the umbrella of the Dubai Chamber, understand the economic benefits that will follow the winning of the country’s bid. “I would like to note that this event is the culmination of an enormous collective effort of the Dubai Chamber in reaching out to its members from the private sector and its international stakeholders to raise awareness of the UAE’s bid to host World Expo 2020 and promote the economic value of engaging in the campaign,” Al Hashimi said.

In his welcome address, Hamad Buamim, director-general of the Dubai Chamber, said that it is the moral responsibility of the business community to support this national campaign that will bring business and promote growth in the country.

On its part, the Dubai Chamber is utilising all its resources through its local, regional and global network of stakeholders and associates to generate support for the bid, while also highlighting the competitive advantages enjoyed by the business community in Dubai.

Buamim further stressed that the Dubai Chamber, during its foreign visits as well as while receiving overseas delegations, makes it a point to promote the advantages of Dubai by highlighting its leading economic sectors like trade, tourism, logistics and financial sectors, as well as its world-class infrastructural facilities. “We also seek the delegations’ support in winning the bid for Dubai which will bring all round economic progress to the emirate,” he said.

Dubai is ideal

In an exclusive comment on the bid, Ahmad bin Byat, chairman of du, told Khaleej Times that as a regional and global hub for a variety of industry sectors, Dubai is an ideal choice to host the first World Expo to be held in the Menasa region.

The city resonates with the selected theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, and Dubai Expo 2020 will prove a vibrant, memorable experience for all involved, Bin Byat said, adding: “I have every confidence in our bid, and will look forward to its success being a catalyst for ushering in a new era of partnerships to promote growth and a sustainable future for the UAE.”

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com