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SADC FLIES HIGH AT THE

EXPO 2020 DUBAI

ubai is gearing up to host the next
World Expo in October 2020 - and
a South African is playing a key
role in the process. South African
DShaun Vorster is the Vice President
of Strategy and Business integration relating
to programming at Expo 2020 Dubai. During a
recent visit to South Africa, he told Fin24 that
the expo will offer great business networking
opportunities.
Vorster explains that the World Expo has been
running for 168 years - with the first one
taking place in London. Many innovations were
first introduced to the world at these expos.
Some of the expos have led to memorable
architecture being created - including the
Eiffel Tower.
“The World Expo is a global celebration of
innovation, technology and architecture,” Says
Vorster.
The event, at the new state of the art Dubai
Exhibition Centre, will host more than 60
events per day, over a period of six months.
The Expo 2020 Dubai is expected to host 192
countries and Dubai is preparing for 25 million
visitors, with more than 70% anticipated from
outside the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
(MEASA) region. African countries are playing
a key role in this World Expo with the majority
already confirming their participation.
It is the first time the expo will take place in
the MEASA region.

“We are positioning it as the world’s greatest
show of human brilliance. It will be a
meaningful as well as entertaining experience,”
Says Vorster. “For every country participating,
it offers an amazing opportunity to showcase
the best it can offer. It will be a showcase
celebration of cultures, gastronomy and trade
and investment opportunities - including in
tourism.”
He sees the expo as ‘a meeting of minds’
where new scientific networks can be formed.
“From a business point of view, there are also
opportunities for corporations and SMEs to
be part of the journey to deliver the expo.
We have an online market place portal for
our procurement, for instance. SMEs from
150 countries have already registered to do
business with the expo.”

Source: News24 (South Africa)

97 The Africa We Want