Dubai, China discuss economic ties

The Chief Economist of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in his meeting with the President of Expo Shanghai discussed the economic benefits of hosting the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. During this meeting in Shanghai, China, and tour of the 2010 Expo site, Dr Nasser Saidi discussed with Ding Hao his country’s successful experience hosting this international event that attracted more than 73 million visitors between May-October 2010. This visit by Dr Saidi follows the recent launch of the UAE’s campaign to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, and comes just days after this bid received the support of fellow Arab nations at a meeting of the Council of the Arab League Foreign Ministers in Cairo, Egypt. “It was my great pleasure to meet with Ding Hao and witness first-hand the opportunities associated with hosting a World Expo,” said Dr Saidi. “Historically, Expos have proved pivotal in the infrastructure development of host cities and nations, and it is clear that bringing the Expo to Dubai would further contribute to the development of our unmatched infrastructure, unique ability to connect the world, promote trade, tourism and investment and promote greater understanding of our region’s cultures, history, tradition and modern transformations. “The emergence in recent years of countries like China has led to a profound shift in the global economic geography, away from a handful of traditional power centres towards a more sustainable network of interconnected economies. The Expo presents an unparalleled opportunity to increase economic integration further still. In this context, our aim is under the heading ‘Dubai learns from Shanghai’. “ Earlier this month, Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing the calendar, bidding, selection, and organisation of World and International Expos, made his first official visit to the UAE since the country submitted its bid. The UAE has submitted its bid under the theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,’ and has proposed hosting the six-month Expo at Dubai Trade Centre inJebel Ali, a 438-hectare site to be constructed on the southwestern edge of Dubai, adjacent to Dubai World Central, home to Al Maktoum International Airport, which will host the 2013 Dubai Airshow. In November of last year, the UAE officially presented its bid to the BIE in Paris, France, to host the World Expo in Dubai between Jan.4 and June 30, 2020. The bid is being led by the Higher Committee for hosting the 2020 World Expo.