UAE model for creativity

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

Expo 2020 Dubai paves the way for a creative, knowledge-based global economy, said Rosvi Gaetos, Assistant Secretary of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), who is also the Alternate Commissioner-General of the Philippines Pavilion at Expo 2020 dubai.

“The UAE is a global role model that inspires creativity and innovative thinking, and adopts a knowledge-based economy to attain a comprehensive and sustainable development,” she added.

In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Gaetos said that Expo 2020 dubai lays the foundation for a knowledge-based and creative economy that will help accelerate the growth of the global economy, especially with the participation of around 192 countries at the event.

“We see a great emphasis nowadays on an economy that is knowledge-based and driven by innovation and creativity. We no longer associate economic growth with trade and exports only, but with the exchange of knowledge, creative ideas and minds, as well as advanced technological services that contribute to the attainment of sustainable development,” she said.

Gaetos highlighted that the UAE is the Philippines’ main trade partner in the Middle East region and is one of the key markets for trade and investment globally. “Expo 2020 dubai provides an ideal platform to enhance bilateral relations between the UAE and the Philippines in various fields.

“Through our participation at Expo 2020 Dubai, we aim to boost our trade partnership with the UAE and the region in all vital sectors,” she added.

“The Philippines is a modern progressive country that aims to exchange creative ideas and shape opportunities with other countries through its participation at this global event,” Gaetos went on to say.

She referred that over the next six months, the Philippines Pavilion will be organising many distinguished events for the interest of the Filipino community and others.

 Pakistan participation in Expo 2020 Dubai would renew closer connection and effective interaction with the UAE through high-level visits, display of Pakistani products and closer collaboration between business communities on both sides, a top Pakistani official said.

“Our participation would renew closer connection and effective interaction between our two countries,” Section Commissioner General, Ambassador Afzaal Mahmood, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) in an interview.

Pakistan Pavilion would facilitate the intensification of bilateral trade and commerce ties, he added.

About UAE’s role in enhancing international cooperation, especially with hosting Expo 2020 Dubai, Mahmood said, the UAE has transformed itself from a communication and connectivity hub into a trade and investment facilitator over the years.

The country has acquired the capacity to connect different countries and regions for commercial activities. The UAE-based airlines reach every corner of the world to transport passengers and goods.

“UAE’s warmth, openness, tolerance and hospitality also attract people around the globe to meet and do business through this country,” he said, adding, “It is a win-win situation for all nations to develop together.”

The Ambassador said that the UAE has taken lead in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic and conveying a clear message to the world that “living with Covid-19 is possible”, provided necessary precautions and preventions observed.

“Opening tourism and commercial activity at a large scale are likely to be seen by the international community as a pilot project for doing business during Covid-19,” he noted.

He said that introduction of Pakistan’s over 9,000-year-long history, diverse culture, richness in natural and human resources, unique tourism and potential for trade and investment are the main pillars of Pakistan Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. “Through Pakistan Pavilion, we wish to invite the international community to learn about our nation, visit Pakistan for tourism and do business with our country,” he said.

About the UAE’s efforts in hosting Expo 2020 Dubai, Ambassador Afzaal Mahmood said, “I think a lot of wisdom, planning and investment have gone into preparations for this event. More importantly, it was the determination of the leadership and people of UAE to make Expo a reality during Covid-19.”

Divulging the main attractions of Pakistan’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, he said that display of Pakistan’s history, diversity (of landscape, weather, ethnicity, and culture), openness and tolerance of Pakistani society, trade and investment potential, Pakistani cuisine and Pakistani souvenirs are main attractions at Pakistan Pavilion.

Meanwhile, the media liaison officer of Pakistan Pavilion Ms. Shazia Siraj told WAM that around 8,000 visitors from all nationalities visited the pavilion on the first day, “which was overwhelming”. She also said that the six months of the Dubai Expo are dedicated to four provinces and two regions of Pakistan. The first month is assigned to Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan in terms of land area.

The Pakistan Pavilion under the theme ‘Pakistan: The Hidden Treasure’, is located in the ‘Opportunity District’ over a total covered area of 35,000 Sqft. The facade of the pavilion is designed by Rashid Rana, an internationally renowned artist, whose work is displayed in the important public collections at the British Museum.

The pavilion will be divided into eight key spaces where visitors will experience the country’s best-kept hidden treasures. It will also feature a custom-made Pakistani cuisine restaurant called “The Dhaaba” (food court) that will feature the country’s authentic, centuries-old cuisine for global audiences. It will also offer indigenous dishes from each region.

A souvenir shop with art and craft works unique to Pakistan will also be part of the pavilion to allow visitors to take home a bit of Pakistani culture from its array of cultural memorabilia available.

Dan Tehan, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, inaugurated his country’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, in the presence of Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of the Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau.

“What the UAE has achieved in Expo 2020 Dubai is impressive, most notably amidst the conditions facing the entire world caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are happy to participate in this outstanding event, and our pavilion tells the story of a culture rich in unique innovation. Our pavilion embodies the heart and soul of the Australian people,” Tehan said. “The sky is the limit for our ambition for our future.

Therefore, the Australian pavilion is carrying a message of the “Blue Sky Dreaming.” We are continuing the dream, while maintaining an advanced and prominent position globally, and we aim to make every Australian citizen proud of what our country has achieved,” he added.

Al Hashemy stressed that the theme “Blue Sky Dreaming” embodies the rich Australian spirit, known for its innovation, noting that Australia is a country that works for the future, while respecting the past.

“Australia is accomplishing numerous achievements in the areas of culture, education and social development, from international sports and entertainment to preserving indigenous people’s traditions, discovering space, building future cities where different segments of the community can integrate, and achieving pluralism and sustainability,” she added.

The Australian pavilion is presenting, to its visitors, the natural wonders of Australia, as well as its expertise in innovation and diverse cultural history, and the story of its people, dating back 60,000 years.