Switzerland has become the first country to officially sign up for the Dubai Expo 2020 mega event.
“We are delighted that the Swiss Government has committed to participate, over four years ahead of the start of the Expo,” said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee.
“The decision is an important reflection of the international role played by the UAE, and the significance of Expo 2020.”
Sheikh Ahmed met with Maya Tissafi, Switzerland’s Ambassador to the UAE, as the country became the first to officially siginal its intent to participate.
The agreement to take part in Expo 2020 took place at a meeting last week which also agreed a budget for the $15.5m (AED57m) Swiss Pavilion which will be built on the Expo site.
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Switzerland is the first country to commit to participate in #Expo2020 pic.twitter.com/zXqN5KneWk
— Dubai Expo 2020 (@DubaiExpo2020) April 19, 2016
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In a statement, the Federal Council, said: “Given the economic and political significance of the host country and the geopolitical weight of the Gulf region, the Federal Council decided that Switzerland would participate in the Expo 2020 in Dubai.
“Switzerland’s presence will be a unique opportunity to present the country and its research capacity and innovation in the fields of renewable energies, mobility and the environment to a wider public.”
Expo 2020 is scheduled to be hosted by Dubai in an area next to Jebel Ali.
Spanning 438,000 sqm, the mega event will be 10% larger in size than Milan Expo 2015.
UAE officials are expcting the event to create 277,000 jobs – most of which will be in the tourism industry.
