Australia confirms participation in Expo 2020 Dubai
The UAE is Australia's largest trading partner in the Middle East
Australia has confirmed its participation in the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai, officials announced on Thursday.
The country’s participation was confirmed by Australian Ambassador Arthur Spyrou and Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation and the Director General of the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau.
According to Expo officials, Australia’s participation is a sign of the country’s close links with the UAE, in particular in tourism, education and business. The event will also offer Australia a chance to showcase its culture and innovation, as well as the quality of its service, agriculture and education sectors.
“Expo 2020 Dubai will be a celebration of ingenuity and collaboration between nations from around the world that will have a lasting impact on human progress,” Reem Al Hashimy said. “Australia and the UAE already enjoy a close relationship, so we are delighted to welcome our friends to Expo 2020 and look forward to seeing the positive contribution that their participation will bring.”
Arthur Spyrou noted that “Australia is a longstanding friend and partner of the UAE” and said Australia is proud to play positive role in Dubai’s future.
“Australia supported the UAE’s bid to host Expo 2020 Dubai and our participation reflects the value we place in our relationship with the UAE, as well as Dubai’s status as a global hub for business, transport, tourism and logistics,” he said.
“Our country is innovative and forward-looking, with a successful, multicultural society and the capacity to work collaboratively on the challenges of the future,” he added. “We want our participation at Expo 2020 to reflect this, while demonstrating our capabilities and establishing lasting connections with the region and millions of visitors from around the world.”
Australia held World Expo 88 in Brisbane, and used the event to promote Brisbane and greater Queensland as a tourist destination.
The UAE is Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East. In 2016, non-oil trade between the two nations reached $2.8 billion.
Nearly 25,000 Australian expats and 350 Australian companies call the UAE home, with more than 130 flights per week between the two countries. In 2017, approximately 279,000 Australian tourists visited Dubai.
0 comments