Paris: A seven-member high-powered UAE delegation arrived in Paris on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s crucial ballot for the World Expo 2020.
The UAE contingent is being led by Chairman of the Committee, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group; Deputy Chairman Mohammed Ebrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of the Ruler’s Court of Dubai and CEO Investment Corporation of Dubai and Reem Al Hashemi, Managing Director of the Committee and Minister of State.
Apart from the team members who are present in Paris, at least 10 UAE Federal Ministers are scheduled to attend the voting process of the Expo. It is being speculated that Turkey and Russia may be fielding a very high powered delegation on the day of the voting.
The UAE contingent hosted a reception for delegates on Monday night, making it the final official dinner hosted by the UAE given that every competing country is allowed to host two dinners. Turkey is hosting its reception on Tuesday night.
The UAE contingent are still in the process of negotiating with countries for their votes and a fixed strategy has been put into place for this. No details were, however, given on what the fine points of this strategy were. The UAE is fielding the maximum number of journalists for these proceedings and this has been suggested as being indicative of the level of support back home.
The organising committee has left no stone unturned in its endeavour to bring this bid as close to perfection as possible. Every facet of the UAE society, culture and industry has been highlighted to illustrate that Dubai would make the ideal host for Expo 2020.
An estimated 25 million visitors are set to arrive in the country as a result of a successful bid, thus influencing tourism, trade, infrastructure and investment. A total of 270,000 jobs will also be conceived to cater to an expanded economy.
