Dubai Expo 2020 could earn $40bn windfall for the emirate

• Post-event legacy will be addressed at Dubai Destination 2020 conference

Experts say Dubai’s hosting of the World Expo 2020 will contribute as much as $40bn to its economy, driven largely by an expected influx of 25 million tourists, as well as new investments related to the city’s build-up for the event.

The Dubai World Expo 2020 would be the first to be held in the MENASA region and would also coincide with the UAE’s golden jubilee. “For the first time in the history of the World Expo, as much as 70 per cent of the expected 25 million visitors would be international – stemming from beyond the host nation. This is important because Dubai Expo 2020 would offer opportunity for both the developed and the developing world,” says Helal Saeed Al Marri, director general of Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing in an interview.

Al Marri will deliver the Opening Keynote Address at Destination Dubai 2020, the first conference to comprehensively detail the opportunities and challenges confronting Dubai ahead of its next most important event.

This will be followed by a presentation from Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, who will provide an overview of the Dubai World Cental masterplan says, “Dubai World Central is a purpose-built, forward looking, urban city development that is set to transform the region into an economic superpower. Designed to create a self-sustained economic zone, DWC is now shaping up as a world class development and we are proud to be building a city of the future. It has already seen significant development of what will be world’s largest airport, the Al Maktoum International Airport; it is also the permanent home of Dubai Airshow and the site of World Expo 2020; a recent JV with Emaar has been signed to build an urban centre and a golf destination; a large number of global, regional and local companies have chosen DWC as their regional base and many more are accelerating their plans to establish their presence. I am confident that the spirit of entrepreneurship and visionary foresight that has been the hallmark of Dubai’s spectacular rise as a global city will further drive us to build and deliver Dubai World Central as a shining example of this spirit and foresight. ”

Leaders from Dubai’s leading private and public sector players will then participate in a dedicated session outlining the strategic initiatives attached to delivering Dubai’s 2020 vision, as well as the various drivers that will impact on the growth of Dubai.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), one of those participating in the panel, says “Dubai’s successful bid truly supports the vision of the leadership of the Emirate to become the new economic and islamic economic centre of the world. As the international hub for trade and enterprise DMCC has and will continue to play a significant role in bringing multi-business and multi-nationals to the country as the Expo 2020 theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ will further drive Dubai’s position as more than just a transfer and trading point between East and West. Few can imagine the impact the Dubai of 2020 will have on the World Expo, just imagine what the Emirate will look like in 6 years, and how it will connect people, their aspirations and the raft of opportunities it will present for residents and citizens of the UAE.”

While Dubai’s preparations for the expo has expectedly been the subject of so much buzz across the globe, the plan for the city after the event will also be significantly discussed during the conference, outlining potential uses for the infrastructure that will be set up in place.

Destination Dubai 2020 is scheduled to take place on 28-29 January 2014 at the JW Marriott Marquis.