'Overwhelming response': Over 1,200 Pakistani companies, individuals confirm participation in Dubai Expo 

KARACHI: More than 1,200 Pakistani companies and individuals have confirmed their participation in Dubai expo, an upcoming mega event scheduled to kick off on October 1, a local organizer said on Tuesday.
Beginning next month, the expo will continue until April 2022.
It was originally supposed to take place between October 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
About 190 countries will participate in the mega event and have set up over 200 thematic pavilions to display their culture and highlight the investment opportunities.
“We have got an overwhelming response since more than 1,200 individuals and corporate representatives have confirmed their visit to Expo 2020,” Hira Saleem, founder and managing director of Events 360 which is organizing tours for the event, told Arab News.
“In addition to that, about 2,500 people have shown interest in traveling with us,” she continued. “All of these individuals are corporate representatives. People across Pakistan are quite interested in Expo 2020.”
The Pakistani event manager said she was confident to attract a large number of individuals to the event when the UAE authorities announced travel relaxations.
“Our target is 25,000-plus people from Pakistan which I feel is a small number at the moment,” she added. “We will exceed the target within the next couple of months.”
Pakistan has set up its pavilion under the theme, Pakistan: The Hidden Treasure, to promote tourism, commerce and investment.
Constructed at the cost of $28.72 million, the pavilion was officially handed over to the Pakistani authorities on March 14.
It occupies a large piece of land that is about 35,000 square feet and is located in the Opportunity District.
Throughout the six months, countries will arrange cultural events and business seminars at the expo to entertain people and highlight opportunities for trade and commerce.
A huge influx of about 25 million visitors from around the world is also expected during the event.