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EXPO 2020<br />
Dubai reveals further details of legacy plan<br />
The government's ambitious plans include transformation of the Expo's 4.38 sq km site into an<br />
ecosystem that connects businesses in the transport and logistics, travel and tourism, real<br />
estate and education sectors, in a bid to create a thriving knowledge-based economy<br />
NAFL REVIEW Feature | 16 |<br />
T<br />
he site for Expo 2020 will be<br />
transformed into an ecosystem<br />
to encourage the growth of the<br />
U A E ' s k n o w l e d g e - b a s e d<br />
economy, according to plans unveiled during<br />
the recent Cityscape Global in Dubai, UAE.<br />
In a keynote speech, Marjan Faraidooni, Expo<br />
2020's Vice President of Legacy, set out<br />
ambitious plans to transform the Expo's 4.38<br />
sq km site into an ecosystem that connects<br />
businesses in the transport and logistics,<br />
travel and tourism, real estate and education<br />
sectors, in a bid to create a thriving<br />
knowledge-based economy that contributes<br />
to a diversified future for the UAE.<br />
Faraidooni outlined the intentions for the<br />
Expo, noting, "Our legacy plans are wide<br />
ranging and ambitious. Our Expo will<br />
continue to foster innovation, and to create<br />
meaningful partnerships that will live beyond<br />
2020 - not only for the UAE, but for the region<br />
as a whole," she said.<br />
Ms. Faraidooni added that plans call for Expo<br />
2020 Dubai to target its investment to deliver<br />
a long lasting legacy from the Expo site. "We<br />
have spent the past year working on<br />
developing our master plan, specifically to<br />
create a platform for the future. Over 80 per<br />
cent of our investments will be retained<br />
following the event. This includes the<br />
infrastructure, as well as the cutting edge<br />
technologies, and the roads and public<br />
transport systems put in place to host the<br />
Expo. We intend to build on those physical<br />
and virtual platforms to create an ecosystem<br />
that lives through the legacy.”<br />
'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'<br />
Expo 2020 Dubai's theme is 'Connecting<br />
Minds, Creating the Future'. The theme<br />
represents the belief that progress happens<br />
when people and ideas come together in new<br />
ways. And this theme celebrates the power of<br />
ideas, from anyone, to improve the lives of<br />
everyone. This is the guiding principle that<br />
lies behind all of Expo 2020's activities.<br />
Expo's ecosystem strategy uses physical<br />
proximity and an enabling environment to<br />
create competitive advantages; most<br />
importantly being the access to leading edge<br />
skills and capabilities. Expo officials believe<br />
that the merging of industries with related<br />
technologies will create a centre of<br />
excellence that draws in other related<br />
companies, enabling wider collaborations<br />
and innovations.<br />
Additionally, Expo's legacy<br />
planners have identified four high<br />
priority strategic industries:<br />
education, transport and logistics,<br />
travel and tourism, and real<br />
estate. These sectors form the<br />
backbone of the current UAE<br />
economy, and are industries that<br />
have a major role to play in the<br />
nation's ongoing economic<br />
diversification.<br />
As part of the legacy plan, Expo has explored<br />
how technologies, including augmented<br />
reality, big data and the internet of things,<br />
could transform these industries. Expo has<br />
also identified education and cultural<br />
initiatives to complement the ecosystem<br />
envisaged by Expo organizers.<br />
Over AED5B to be allocated to SMEs<br />
Furthermore, Expo 2020 Dubai has