LANDMARK FUTURE BUSINESS UAE EVENT IN EXPO MILAN 2015 RECEIVES STRONG INTEREST FROM INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Pavilion Representatives, Visiting Delegations and Prospective Global Partners Explore Myriad of Multi-Industry Co-operation Opportunities with UAE’s Leading Public & Private Sector Organisations in UAE Pavilion
ATP- arab tourism portal- Milan, Italy: A host of representatives from participating Expo Milan 2015 pavilions, visiting delegations and companies are reaching out for business opportunities in the UAE at Future Business UAE, a dedicated conclave within the UAE Pavilion, where a contingent of the UAE’s most pioneering and visionary public and private sector organisations are championing the country’s credentials as a global hub for investment, trade and commerce.
A tailored investment platform to maintain and develop the UAE’s increasingly pivotal role in the global economy, the landmark Future Business UAE platform represents the first time the country has mounted a permanent ‘corporate exhibition’ for UAE companies and entities to leverage the Expo’s global visitor reach and foster international co-operation in key national growth areas, as identified in the UAE Vision 2021.
Future Business UAE – which includes leading UAE entities in industry verticals ranging from telecommunications, energy and food to trade and commerce – has welcomed a tide of prospective global partners following its opening on 1st May, when His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee Chairman, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO and Chairman of The Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai World; His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee member, and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) and Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (ADNEC); and select VIPs and officials from the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee toured the specialist exhibition and meetings theatre.
Running May 1 to October 31 at the Milanese edition of the World’s Fair – the once-every-five-years global showcase that is also the world’s oldest, continuously-running mega event – Future Business UAE is managed by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on behalf of the National Media Council, which has created the UAE National Pavilion on behalf of the UAE Government.
With Future Business UAE officially endorsed by the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW), other UAE entities exploring collaborative and creative commercial partnerships with participating pavilions and visiting delegations during six months of top-level meetings in Milan include Etisalat, the Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE), Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai SME and Dubai Municipality.
At Future Business UAE, MOEW and DSCE are discussing sustainable energy initiatives with other international councils and regulators: “The Ministry of Environment & Water’s participation at Expo Milan 2015 is part of its role to develop and promote sustainable development projects, and to ensure further development of the UAE’s environmental sector,” said Engineer Mariam Saeed Hareb, Assistant Undersecretary of Water Resources & Nature Conservation, MOEW, from the opening of Expo Milan 2015.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO, DEWA, added: “In-line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, DEWA is highlighting Dubai’s position as a global role model for energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability, creativity and innovation, and attracting investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
“We will present the strategies, initiatives and achievements of DEWA, and exchange best practices and experiences with other institutions and organisations from all over the world. As part of our support for the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021, we are also showcasing the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which DEWA is operating. The Park is one of the world’s largest strategic renewable energy projects based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, with a planned total capacity of 3,000MW by 2030,” added Al Tayer.
With Expo Milano 2015 being held under the theme ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’, Khalid Sharif Al-Awadhi, Executive Director of Food Control Department, Dubai Municipality, who led a delegation to the opening days of Expo Milan 2015, revealed his team had already conducted numerous productive meetings and dialogues with many different country government and private business groups in the food sector including the Minister of Agriculture for the Lombardia region and other international food regulatory officials.
“Future Business UAE has provided us with a great opportunity to meet delegates from different countries including Austria, Mexico, Columbia, South Korea, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, the Netherlands and Qatar amongst others,” said Al-Awadhi. “Dubai is on course to be a global centre for Halal products and certification in the future and there is great international interest to invest in the city – especially in the food sector. As part of our preparations for Expo Dubai 2020, we are establishing formal communication channels with national trade organisations to facilitate future growth, providing information for setting up food businesses and export networks to Dubai, and studying programmes in other major markets.”
Commenting on Etisalat’s presence and participation at the Expo Milan 2015, Engineer Saleh Al Abdouli, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat said: "We are honored to be representing the UAE jointly with several companies and organisations in this significant global event in Milan, contributing to the showcase of UAE’s unique and growing position as an innovator and a global business hub. The Expo Milan allows us to acquaint the world with Etisalat’s strides in innovation and smart technology. As part of the UAE pavilion, it gives us a chance to demonstrate the latest solutions in areas of food security and smart cities. Importantly, it lets us engage in dialogue with a global audience comprising of leading companies and identifying mutual business growth opportunities.”
With telecoms giant Etisalat leveraging Future Business UAE to strike up dialogue with other international telecommunications providers, and DEWA exploring international partnerships and collaborations with global energy and utility bodies focused primarily on green energy schemes and reducing carbon emissions, Dubai SME is engaging budding entrepreneurs, innovators, business owners, investors and policy-makers to discuss collaborative opportunities across the UAE.
“Dubai SME is proud to be at Future Business UAE to showcase our success in translating our entrepreneurial culture into a strategic enabler of economic development, as envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,” said His Excellency Abdul Basit Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME, from Milan.
Dubai Chamber of Commerce is leveraging Future Business UAE to arrange meetings with both individuals and entities keen to explore future business growth in the UAE and involvement in Expo 2020 Dubai.
“In the year that Dubai Chamber celebrates its 50th anniversary, we continue to be the voice of Dubai’s business community. Looking ahead, Dubai’s future business will be shaped dramatically by innovation and smart technology and we look forward to expanding our international network and connecting with potential business partners from across the world to offer networking and business-matching opportunities with UAE companies at Future Business UAE,” said His Excellency Hamad Buamin, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber.
