Official welcome reception for the BIE Enquiry Mission highlights national support

Dubai, Feb 26, 2013 (WAM) - An official welcome reception was held at the foot of the Burj Khalifa in honour of the BIE Executive Committee, the delegation representing the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the inter-governmental organisation that is responsible for World Expo. In an opening speech, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines '&' Group, in his capacity as Chairman of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, told the BIE Executive Committee of the UAE's commitment to host World Expo 2020. Sheikh Ahmed said: "Dubai is fully committed to delivering an exceptional World Expo in 2020 - an Expo that the BIE will be proud of and an Expo that will truly be for the world. Our goal is to present the best Expo in its 150 year history. Over the next few days the BIE Mission will have the opportunity to meet the people, who are the soul of the UAE - a country that is home to nearly 200 nationalities and welcomes millions of tourists from around the world every year. They will experience the excitement and strong support for Expo 2020 exhibited by our multicultural nation as well as see first-hand the spirit of Dubai." Sheikh Ahmed also highlighted the development of Dubai from a small trading post into a thriving, dynamic and cosmopolitan city connecting rapidly growing economies such as India, China, Brazil and the African continent. This combined with our rich cultural heritage is the ideal blend of the old with the new. All members of the Higher Committee for Hosting the World Expo 2020 in Dubai were present, in addition to representatives from the bid's Premier Partners; DP World, Dubai Airports, Emirates, Emirates NBD, Etisalat and Jumeirah Group. Senior figures from the wider business community also attended in support of the country's bid. Guests were treated to a specially created performance of the iconic Dubai Fountain, which was choreographed to Czech composer Antonin Dvoøak's "Symphony from the New World" - the anthem of the BIE. Shayma Al Mughairy, a 17-year old sand artist, gave a creative display that told the story of Dubai and the UAE's history and its vision for the future. The BIE Executive Committee is currently conducting an enquiry mission to learn more about the UAE and to assess Dubai's ability to host this monumental global event on the eve of the country's Golden Jubilee. This mission follows the UAE's recent submission of its official Bid Dossier, which details the country's bid theme, along with expected financial costs, worldwide promotion of the event, expected visitor numbers and the long-term use of the proposed Expo site, Dubai Trade Centre - Jebel Ali. Dubai, UAE, is competing against four other candidate cities bidding to host the 2020 World Expo. The winner will be announced in November 2013 following a vote by the 163 member nations of the BIE. - Emirates News Agency, WAM