Business envoy July 2021
Why Expo 2020?
Held every five years, the World Expos are global events, which provide a significant platform for nations to celebrate innovation, educate the public on progress made by humanity, and most importantly, foster cooperation between businesses, academics, scientists, and countries.
The next expo, which was postponed by a year due to the pandemic, will take place from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.’ It’s the first expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region with 192 participating nations, and over 70 per cent of the visitors expected from overseas. Despite the postponement, the name stays the same for marketing and branding purposes.
Dubai was named as the host by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in November 2013 given its strategic location – two-thirds of the world’s population lives within a radius of an 8 hour flight, and one-third of the world’s population can access Dubai within a four hour flight – making it a major mercantile hub. Additionally, Dubai has been an exposition hub for various global trade events, such as Gulfood, GITEX, Arab Health, the Big 5, to name a few, adding to its experience of hosting major events.
For most participating nations, the one mega event facilitating global connections, will focus on post COVID economic and social recovery. Expo 2020 Dubai will take place across a 438 hectare site.
Over $170 million worth of business has been awarded to Australian companies so far and is the value of building, creative and technology business contracts.
Over 125 events in 180 days
The Australian Pavilion will have an extensive events program spread across the six months of the expo period. The format will be in the form interactive panel discussions; conferences and symposia; investor briefings; roundtables; workshops; public talks and demonstrations; cultural performances; national day celebrations; and collaborative activities with other participating nations.
The events will be led by the Expo Organising Committee; Federal Government agencies, including DFAT and Austrade; state and territory governments; and corporate partners.
The program has been scheduled based around the Expo Theme Weeks; major events in the UAE region; and major events in Australia in coordination with priority partners.
Australia’s business program – Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo has been positioned as the ‘Business Olympics’ for post-COVID-19 global economic recovery. Australia’s business program provides two deliverables: supporting Australia’s market diversification by promoting international B2B and B2G opportunities; and attracting productive Foreign Direct Investment. Austrade is leveraging industry partners and large international commercial exhibitions (such as Gulfood, Arab Health, MENA Mining Show, WETEX, Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference), occurring around Expo 2020 Dubai, in order to deliver hybrid (in-person and virtual) activities.
In May 2021, 193 countries, including Austrade’s priority markets (Japan, USA, UK, France, the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, Canada, Chile, India, New Zealand, Taiwan and the Philippines) confirmed ongoing participation in this global platform. Australia’s business program has been developed in consultation with a large number of stakeholders and consistent with the Expo themes in order to position and promote Australian capabilities to an international audience.
The major exhibitions that Australia is targeting are in key sectors such as Healthcare, Resources & Mining, Education, Energy, Advanced Manufacturing and Food & Ag. The priority Expo theme weeks for Australia, that fit with Austrade’s sectors are Space (October 2021), Urban & Rural Development (November 2021), Knowledge & Learning (December 2021), Health & Wellness (February 2022), Food & Agriculture (February 2022), and Water & Infrastructure (March 2022).
Australia is co-hosting a series of events and panel discussions with the Expo Organising Committee, the Women’s pavilion and international partners, including events showcasing: indigenous capabilities, science mega projects, future agtech innovations, urban development and capabilities in sports and high performance. Australia (DFAT and Austrade) holds ongoing workshops with over 90 countries to develop joint business programs, including with: Israel, Germany, India, France, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, USA, UK, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Egypt, Jordan, Canada, Chile and Ireland.
For more information on Australia’s participation in commercial exhibitions around Expo 2020 Dubai, please contact us at: expo2020@austrade.gov.au
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