Malik-uae Ambassador discuss Sri Lanka’s participation in Expo Dubai 2020
Sri Lanka’s participation at Expo Dubai 2020 and the benefit to be achieved as a nation was discussed with UAE Ambassador Ahmed Ali Al Mualla by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama, at the meeting held recently at the ministry, along with Development Strategies and International Trade Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara, Export Development Board (EDB) Chairperson Indira Malwatte, Board of Investments Chairman Mangala Yapa, officials of the EDB, Board of Investment, Foreign Affairs Ministry and private sector.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been selected for hosting the next expo to be held from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021, in Dubai, under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.
Sri Lanka Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020 will be located in the ‘Opportunity’ district. The pavilion will be organised under the title of ‘Island of Ingenuity’ to showcase Sri Lanka’s efforts across the social, economic, technological and cultural aspects that make up the life of our Nation. Expo Dubai 2020, is expected to attract over 25 million visitors.
It will be organised with the participation of both the public and private sector organisations on a PPP model. Sri Lanka EDB will be the Responsible National Authority (RNA) for Expo 2020 Dubai.
The ambassador has invited a delegation from Sri Lanka headed by Commissioner General to Dubai to discuss how best Sri Lanka can utilize the opportunity extended by the Government of UAE, under their Assisted Pavilion Scheme.
This will be an ideal opportunity to increase especially the market share for Sri Lankan productsand services internationally, mainly in the Gulf region and access to regional markets, capitalising on the UAE’S position as a strategic logistic hub and key access point to the emerging markets in the Middle East and African Continent.
Transforming Sri Lanka into the hub of the Indian Ocean, with a knowledge-based, highly competitive and social market economy is the objective of the Vision 2025 policy document of the government.
Making the transistion to an export, foreign direct investment and tourismoriented country is the only option for Sri Lanka to create better jobs for the youth of our country and to graduate to a higher income economy.
Expo Dubai 2020 will contribute to achieving Sri Lanka’s Vision 2025 by supporting the growth of tourism, stimulating the development of innovative businesses and enhancing the country’s international reputation as a location to do business, which is of utmost important considering specially the current situation of the country.