Abdullah bin Zayed receives Secretary General of Bureau International des Expositions

Abu Dhabi, March 4, 2012 (WAM) - H. H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Chairman of National Media Council has stressed that the UAE under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is witnessing huge development in all fields. He added that the country has become a hub for specialised exhibition industry in the light of more diversified economy, appropriate business environment and advanced infrastructure that have attracted investors and businesspersons worldwide. Sheikh Abdullah made the remarks, while receiving at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Bureau International des Expositions' (BIE) Secretary General in the presence of Reem Al Hashimi, State Minister, Director General of the Higher Committee for hosting World Expo Dubai 2020. Also present were Dimitri Kerkentzes, Chief of staff, BIE, and Laurence Toledo, Coordinator for World Expos. The UAE Foreign Minister said during the meeting that "we are keen on showing the real face of this part of the world, which is characterised with openness, tolerance and diversity. The UAE is well prepared to present the best offer to win the bid to host World Expo 2020." He added that "we are proud of the efforts being exerted to depict the open and creative nature of the UAE to the world", adding that this progress was attained over the last four decades. He expressed hope that the UAE would mark five decades of its foundation, while hosting World Expo 2020. Sheikh Abdullah said the hosting of Expo 2020 in the UAE in general and Dubai in particular will be unique as many multinational visitors will pour into the country, citing the strategic location of the UAE, state-of-the-art infrastructure, modern airports and seaports as other advantages. "We will be honoured to host visitors to see the openness and tolerance being enjoyed by the UAE," he added. Sheikh Abdullah said that the UAE is keen on developing the exhibition industry in the framework of liberalised economic policy adopted by the state. He noted that the Expos are not only commercial and economic gatherings, but also cultural platforms that bring peoples from different cultural backgrounds together to exchange knowledge and expertise. For his part, Loscertales said the UAE had managed to succeed since its participation at World Expos over the last four decades, adding that its participation proved that the country occupies an important position in the world expos map. He lauded the Dubai infrastructure, which qualifies the city to be one of the tough competitors to host Expo 2020. The UAE competes for hosting World Expo 2020 with Russia, Brasil, Turkey and Thailand. The winner will be announced in 2013. - Emirates News Agency, WAM