Pakistan’s participation in Expo 2020 to ‘renew’ ties with UAE — envoy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai will renew its ties with the United Arab Emirates, Islamabad’s envoy to the UAE said on Sunday.
The first world fair to be held in the Middle East, Expo 2020 Dubai opened on Friday. Delayed by one year, the event aims to attract 25 million visitors over the next six months.
Pakistan is one of over 190 countries showcasing their cultures and innovations inside pavilions on the 438-hectare exhibition site.
“Our participation would renew closer connection and effective interaction between our two countries,” Ambassador Afzaal Mahmood said in an interview with Emirates News Agency (WAM).
“Through Pakistan Pavilion, we wish to invite the international community to learn about our nation, visit Pakistan for tourism and do business with our country,” he said.
On the first day of the exhibition, WAM said, the Pakistani pavilion was visited by some 8,000 people.
Themed “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” Expo 2020 Dubai is divided into three sub-theme districts: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. The Pakistani pavilion is in the Opportunity area.
Themed “Pakistan: The Hidden Treasure,” it was built with $14 million funding support from the UAE and inaugurated by the Pakistani prime minister’s adviser on commerce and investment, Abdul Razak Dawood in March.
“It will serve as the hub of business opportunities and promoting our 7,000 years old culture,” Dawood said at the time, adding that Pakistan expects Expo 2020 to give the Pakistani business community “access to networking with the international market and investors.”