Expo 2020 Dubai to boost Philippine market presence — DOT

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s participation in the six-month long Expo 2020 Dubai is seen to enhance the Philippines’ presence in the global marketplace, according to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Lopez led the international launch of the Philippine pavilion last Dec. 12 for the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai.

Located at the Expo’s Sustainability District, the Philippine pavilion is a 1,300 square-meter structure housed in a 3,160 square-meter lot. It will be the biggest ever in the history of the country’s participation in World Expos and the first time the Philippines is building from the ground up.

Lopez said Expo 2020 Dubai is a timely platform to enhance Philippine presence in the global marketplace and promote commercial and public interest in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asian Region.

He sees the expo as a way to cement the Philippines’ reputation as a progressive nation rich in natural resources and skilled manpower; a beautiful country of panoramic destinations and proud heritage and culture spanning 4,000 years; and a nation of creative, compassionate, and caring people deeply connected in communities worldwide.

Expo 2020 Dubai will run from Oct. 20 to April 10, 2021.

While the Philippines is not a regular participant of the World Expo, it has been present in 12 World Expos since 1962. Its last participation was in the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China.

According to an independent report by consulting firm EY, Expo 2020 is seen to contribute $33.4 billion to UAE’s economy from 2013 to 2031.

“From November 2013 – when Dubai won the bid to host the Expo – until its opening in October 2020, the economic impetus will be driven by the construction sector as work continues on building the site and supporting infrastructure such as roads, bridges and the Dubai Metro Route 2020 line,” Expo 2020 said.

As of the end of September, Expo 2020 had awarded AED 3.41 billion to small and medium enterprises.