Dubai launches workshops to promote business opportunities for Expo 2020

Expo 2020 Dubai has launched a new initiative called BusinessConnect, which includes a series of workshops and meetings aimed at raising awareness about the business opportunities that the six-month long mega event will offer.

The inaugural workshop was opened by the director general of the Bureau Dubai Expo 2020 Reem Al Hashimy.

The workshops also follow the continuing dialogue that the Expo 2020 committee has been conducting with national, regional and global corporates this year.

“Dubai and the UAE are already home for many hundreds of enterprises. Expo will provide opportunities for these businesses, and for many others of all sizes and from all nations, to work with us towards our objectives on opportunity, mobility and sustainability – themes of our Expo,” said Al Hashimy.

“Expo and its legacy will help inspire, promote, engage and encourage our youth. We want to use Expo’s power to convene partners which can work with us to empower young people – the leaders of tomorrow – and in so doing continue to build a sustainable future for all.”

The committee also said that it will use the workshops to promote its efforts to ensure that the procurement process will be transparent.

The Expo’s online ‘esourcing’ portal is currently the entry point for all businesses wishing to work with Expo 2020 and will be the first place where opportunities regarding the event will be posted. It will also be where the response to tenders will be posted, a statement said.

Dubai has been gradually awarding construction deals for various works related to Expo 2020. The deal to build the main exhibition site, which will have a capacity to hold about 300,000 visitors, is yet to be announced.

Recently US-based Parsons said that it won the deal to carry out the infrastructure design and construction supervision services for the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Under the deal, Parsons will be responsible for designing, monitoring, managing and delivering the project’s infrastructure.

Other deals that were awarded include the tender to build the Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali master district to a consortium led by US-based CH2M HILL and UK-based Mace and a design contract for the venue that was awarded to a consortium consisting of US-based architects HOK and engineering firm Arup.