Beyond the skies

Inayat-ur-Rahman, Sajjad Ahmad, Gulf Today

PB Abdul Jebbar, Group Managing Director, Hotpack Global: “Expo 2020 will be hugely contributing to the GDP of the region. It will be creating unprecedented opportuni- ties for business to thrive and strengthen various sectors including manufacturing, tourism, retail, construction, and so on. Hospitality and retail sectors are expected to reap maximum benefits from Expo 2020.

Hotel occupancy are expected to be near full during the period in UAE. With retail and wholesale sectors already contributing over 28% to the GDP and almost 20 million visitors expected to flock UAE during expo, both these sectors are sure to bag substantial benefits. As we understand, the huge infrastructure made for Expo 2020 will be there to stay even after the 6-month period of Expo, and will serve as a global hub for innovation, and transitions itself to a fully integrated community hub for business and tourism alike.Therefore,much longer-term benefits are predicted for retail, manufacturing, and hospitality sectors even after Expo 2020.

“With close to 200 countries participating during this six-month extravaganza, this sure presents us with business opportunities of dynamic proportions. We understand that more than 200 food and beverage outlets will be featured at the expo site – many of them international outlets that are featured in UAE for the first time. We are already in contact with many international F&B chains for supplies of their packaging needs during Expo, as Hotpack is the first choice for most of them, as our endeavor has always focused on safety and hygiene of packaging products we offer. Really excited about the long-term prospects that we could develop from the success of Expo 2020.”

Bharat Bhatia, Founder & CEO, Conares: “The timing is a big blessing on Dubai to have a grand opening of Expo 2020. This opportunity has come after one and half years of lock down across the world due to the pandemic. The Expo is going to be a grand event. The whole world will have now a reason to visit Dubai. The world is now hailing the vision and courage demonstrated by the leadership of Dubai and the UAE at this special time facing all the challenges and turning the challenges as blessings. About 3 to 5 percent of people visiting Expo 2020 is expected revisiting Dubai or planning to make Dubai their residence post the Expo. That would benefit the country’s economy very strong for long time. Most of the industrial sectors will be benefited by the Expo 2020 with immediate benefits to reflected on sectors life aviation, tourism, hospitality, F & B, Real Estate.”

“Expo 2020 has seen a massive boost to government- led projects in Dubai – with improved infrastructure, smart cities, and the District 2020 Expo site itself, which will be transformed once the Expo is complete. The event is projected to contribute largest amount to the overall economy. The large number of people visiting Dubai is expected to boost occupancy rates in hotels, while the increased international exposure Dubai would get from the event is expected to increase demand for real estate from foreign buyers. Expo 2020 Dubai is expected to create enormous tangible and intangible economic benefits for the emirate and the wider region, with new and expanded infrastructure serving business communities and societies long-term.”

Ali Shabdar, MEA Regional Director, Zoho Corp: Expo 2020 will bring together some of the world’s most prolific thinkers, leaders, businesses, and innovation under one roof in Dubai, showcasing the infrastructure, capabilities, and ambitions of the UAE to the world. This will directly boost the local economy across the board with a lasting effect. We will continue to work closely with our strategic partners in the country and focus on improving our services to the local and intentional business present in the Expo 2020 while using this platform to exchange ideas and build a better future for businesses of all sizes and scales. Government, real estate, and professional services, more than others, will experience a long-term benefit, specifically because more businesses will set up in the city and will need sustained services from these sectors.”

“Most sectors will directly or indirectly benefit from the Expo2020, especially travel and hospitality, food and beverage, transportation and logistics, professional services, real estate, government, and technology. We are expecting an influx of new visitors and also business leaders who will want to expand their footprint in the country. This means more business for UAE-based companies and a boost to the overall economy.”

Ahmed Saleh Al-Echlah, Director of Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre, TAHKEEM: Since winning the bid in 2013, Choosing Dubai as the host Expo 2020, was an excellent decision on all fronts, as the country is already host to an abundance of nationalities and is a place teeming with innovation. We are looking forward to an amazing experience.”

“Proceeding with an event as substantial as a World Expo after navigating through these difficult times and enduring multiple hardships and setbacks, shows just how resilient the United Arab Emirates and it’s leaders truly are.

We at TAHKEEM anticipate an extraordinary show, meticulously planned to the smallest details, where people from around the globe will join in one incredible place, showcasing what they love and what they have to offer.

We congratulate the UAE leaders on Expo 2020 Dubai — what an achievement amidst challenging times!

Mohammed Al Tair, Acting Chief Executive Officer, at Rak Properties: Since winning the bid in 2013, all eyes have been on the development of Dubai’s infrastructure to accommodate the event.

“The United Arab Emirates always manages to stand up to the challenge and finish the show with a bang. Expo 2020 is set to welcome millions of expected international visitors, which is a testimony to exceptional planning, state-of-the-art execution, and visions and strategies that have always put the country on a pedestal ahead of others.

This year’s theme of sustainability is in line with the UAE’s sustainability initiatives as a whole.

We at RAK Properties look forward to this World Expo; it will demonstrate what the great minds in the UAE are capable of accomplishing and will be an insight into our culture and how the citizens of this wonderful country, and all others living here, live in peace and harmony.”

We congratulate and applaud the UAE and their lead- ers on Expo 2020 Dubai – what an achievement amidst challenging times!

Abdel Hadi Al Sa’di, CEO of BHM Capital: What Dubai has done at large for the infrastructure for Expo 2020 is an unmatched case study in managing and executing flawlessly such a large-scale event, despite all the challenges, setbacks, and unavoidable disasters seen by the world, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

This would not have been made possible without the unwavering belief and strong leadership that empowered team members to keep faith in the event and continue to work as hard as ever, even in the face of adversity. We wholeheartedly congratulate the leaders, team members, and everyone who has participated, and will participate in one way or another, to make this event the most prosperous and memorable World Expo in history.”

Issa Ataya,CEO of Alef Group: We congratulate and applaud the UAE and their leaders on Expo 2020 Dubai – what an achievement amidst challenging times!
Since winning the bid in 2013, all eyes have been on the development of Dubai’s infrastructure to accommodate the event.

Our Rulers and the people of the UAE have embraced this opportunity with confidence to ultimately deliver not only a world-class event but also a range of world-class developments and attractions.

Expo 2020 has already had and will continue to have a positive impact on the country. We at Alef Group believe that the event will continue to drive transformational change. Our view is that post-event Expo 2020 will have a favorable effect on both the economy and trade flow, which will spur real estate sales, and in turn, will boost investor confidence and encourage significant investment into the UAE.