ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has received an “overwhelming” response in the first week since its opening, the commerce ministry said on Thursday, as 55,000 people have already visited the site. 

The Expo is the first world fair to be held in the Middle East, and Dubai, the region’s tourism, trade and business hub, is hoping to boost its economy by attracting 25 million business and tourist visits to the exhibition, which has been built from scratch at a cost of around $6.8 billion. 

Pakistan is one of over 190 countries showcasing their cultures and innovations and looking to the Expo — the first major global event open to visitors since the coronavirus pandemic — to boost trade and investment. 

The exhibition opened on October 1 and will run through March 31, 2022. 

The Pakistani pavilion was officially inaugurated by President Arif Alvi on October 9.

“We are pleased to announce that Pakistan Pavilion received 55,000 visitors in just the opening week of Expo 2020,” the Pakistani prime minister’s aide on commerce, Abdul Razak Dawood, said in a statement. 

“The response we received was overwhelming and the number of visitors we had in the first week was beyond expectations.” 

He added that Pakistan had been largely misrepresented and its presence at Expo 2020 was aimed at showing the South Asian nation as a country of great opportunities for tourism and investment. 

Built from scratch on 4.3 square km of desert, Expo 2020 Dubai is divided into three sub-theme districts: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. 

Themed “The Hidden Treasure, the Pakistani pavilion is located in the Opportunity area. 

“I want to thank all the visitors for coming to the Pakistan Pavilion and exhibiting their interest in our culture, and appreciating the richness and diversity it holds,” Dawood said. 

“Also, I would like to thank our artists as their creativity and skills are the sole reasons, we showcased the real Pakistan to a broader audience.”