The Department for International Trade has issued an ‘open call’ for partners and sponsors for the UK’s presence at Expo 2020 Dubai, an event which is expected to attract 25 million visitors.
Expo 2020 Dubai is a big deal in the UAE. A large area of previously undeveloped land has been allocated for the site and construction has been underway for some time. The event is a first for the region and the win was celebrated with official/government firework displays on the Palm Jumierah and near the Burj Khalifa.
The theme for the UK pavillion is ‘The UK – innovating for a shared future’. The overall themes for Expo 2020 Dubai are opportunity, mobility, and sustainability; three things which describe the UAE. Mobility due to the country’s geographical location being within 4hrs reach of one-third of the world’s population. Sustainability because the Gulf region is arguably the world’s most unsustainable region, being mostly desert. And opportunity, because the UAE has for decades offered an unrivaled place to do business in the region.
The DIT has listed the following industries as those it wishes to highlight at the event, so if your company operates in any of the following you should contact the DIT directly (contact info below).
- infrastructure and finance
- technology
- healthcare
- consumer goods
- catering and food and beverage
In addition to the exposure the DIT is able to offer it’s worth mentioning the local coverage the event will receive. In the UAE media coverage is dominated by business. Other serious matters are covered, such as regional politics and world events, but there is no dominant celebrity culture here; singers rarely make the front page. It is fair to assume that for the majority of the event’s duration there will be heavy coverage in print and on broadcast. Expo 2020 Dubai will be a country-wide event with high-profile visits and a lot of attention.
Contact for expressions of interest
Any company wanting to register an expression of interest, in either cash or value in kind sponsorship, should contact the Sponsorship and Partnerships team, Department for International Trade, by 31 July 2018.
- Fay Wiltshire fay.wiltshire@trade.gov.uk or phone +44 (0)7824457865
- Rebekah O’Connor, rebekah.oconnor@trade.gov.uk or phone + 44 (0)7824457795
- Steve Saward steven.saward@trade.gov.uk or phone +44 (0)7824342121
DIT Webiste for more information