ablcc_newsletter-4th-edition-2021_A5_04

26 all along the process of the organization of the EXPO. Besides, The Belgian Pavilion is representing more than the diversity of Belgium and its strengths in representing the future of mobility as it symbolizes 50 years of intense bilateral cooperation between Belgium and the United Arab Emirates. What is more, HE Claes pointed out that EXPO 2020 was the occasion to finally join forces to face global issues such as climate change, poverty and inequality, thanks to innovation and technology. HE Robert Lauer , Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the UAE, spoke about the importance of Luxembourg in the development of EXPO 2020, as the first nation to show interest in the matter. Moreover, The Luxembourg Pavilion represents a testimony of the entrepreneurial spirit that it shares with the UAE and Belgium. Then, participants gained valuable insights from f ield experts and got precious information along with valuable tools to successfully position their business in the United Arab Emirates. Sumathi Ramanathan , Vice President, Market Strategy and Sales for the Expo 2020, explained the Moto of the world expo “Connecting minds, creating the future”. She stressed out that this spirit can be found in the DNA of the UAE “which for many years have been a center where people have always met and merged and connected” from the Silk Route to Arab scholars and again to the venetian merchants. Then, she continued on underlining that the EXPO is also aiming to meet the UN SDG’s and the key topics that need to be addressed for a sustainable future. Hamad AlShirawi , Senior Manager for the Expo 2020 Business Programme, developed the business programme that actually gathers many different opportunities such as forums, events, briefings, networking series, guides and connected centers for businesses to learn more about the opportunities of investments not only in the UAE but in the 192 countries participating in the EXPO. Mr. AlShirawi also presented the newEXPO 2020 B2B App, allowing businesses to connect according to their matching profiles. Meera Al-Ali , Contracts and Procurement Buyer for the EXPO 2020, presented the ways for businesses to be more involved in the upcoming opportunities that the expo generates. Faisal Alhammadi , Advisor at the Ministry of State for Entrepreneurship and SME’s, shed light on the very favorable business landscape of the UAE. The UAE is a leading business Hub globally and regionally, and have put in place many incentives to foster investments and business opportunities in all 7 Emirates. We can conclude that the UAE are even more than ever a safe haven of opportunities. The UAE are a hub in the matter as all the conditions are there to do fruitful investments.