Pinoy workers join Dubai expo
A Dubai expo organizer has recognized the Filipino for helping shape the United Arab Emirates through involvement in various industries that have powered and built the nation.
“The Filipino community has helped shape the UAE through their involvement in a variety of industries that both power and build the nation, from the service sector, construction, health, education, to media and entertainment,” said the Emirate of Dubai, organizer of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Expo 2020 Dubai is a massive and globally collaborated, six-month-long celebration that aims to take participants into a melting pot of international cuisines, world-class architecture, innovative landscapes and diverse art and culture.
The event slated from Oct. 20, 2020, to April 21, 2021 is set to welcome a recordbreaking 192 participating countries.
It also anticipates 25 million visits from guests around the globe, welcoming them to experience world-renowned Emirati hospitality and values.
Expo 2020 aims to promote future global prosperity through means of youth empowerment, innovation, friendship and business opportunities.
“This time around, three Filipinos are helping mount one of the world’s greatest shows,” the emirate.
Among these overseas Filipino workers are Dominique Villafuerte, who serves as Expo 2020’s administrative officer for marketing; Jon Jon Catapia who is assistant manager for business support for operations back of house; and Jude Valderrama, senior graphic designer for The Narrative Lab, who has played a crucial part in designing and creating branding material for various projects under the event.
Apart from having Filipinos in its organizing team, Expo 2020 will also feature a Philippines Pavilion called the “Bangkota.”
The Bangkota is designed to resemble the natural and organic shape of the country’s famed coral reefs, drawing visitors into free-flowing, open spaces, which is said to reflect the nation’s embracement of openness, meaningful encounters and connection to the world by travel, migration and technology.
According to an independent report by consulting firm EY, the Expo 2020 is seen to contribute AED 122.6 billion or $33.4 billion to UAE’s economy from 2013 to 2031.
Expo 2020 added that the event is also expected to support up to 905,200 jobyears during the same timeframe, and contribute approximately 1.5 percent of the UAE’s annual forecast GDP during the six-month Expo. To date, Expo 2020 has awarded AED 3.41 billion to SMEs, supporting Expo’s aim to foster innovation and support small businesses.