The Dubai World Trade Centre will create a business hub within the UAE pavilion at Milan to offer Emirati companies a direct line to European customers and partners.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for UAE companies to gain exposure to the World Expo environment and there is strong interest in this initiative,” Helal Al Marri, director general of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and chief executive of DWTC, said of BizHub.
“We are very proud to be associated with this iconic national project and believe that the BizHub will add to an already impressive pavilion experience. We have received a lot of interest from entities across different industries.
“With the highly limited exhibition space available, we hope to present a cross-section of organisations that shall represent the diversity of business opportunities in the UAE at this global event.”
With the theme Growing Future Business, the hub is open to UAE companies whose businesses are related to the Milan Expo theme of Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life, which is aimed at exploring the challenges in feeding the planet and dealing with limited resources of land, energy and water.
“We look forward to making some other announcements on our partners in the near future,” said commissioner general Salem Al Ameri.
Companies based in the UAE have shown interest in the Milan Expo, which begins in May, since they view it as a training ground for the World Fair in Dubai in 2020, officials said. The Dubai Expo 2020 theme, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, also builds on themes of sustainability and innovation.
Fabrizio Sala, a regional Italian minister for this year’s expo and international business, said event organisers felt it was important to formulate innovative ways to develop expo connections.
Since the themes interconnect, officials hope to build a link between the people and businesses of the two countries, so continuous exchange is possible in all sectors.
“Above all we look towards the future because this is a journey we share together,” Mr Sala said.
“Human behaviour will influence and determine the connection but if you look at positive terms, it will be good for the economy of both our countries.
“I think it’s safe to say that curiosity and opportunity is bi-directional from both our countries. The expo is an occasion to open new avenues and to avoid neglect of some sectors that have never met.”
For more information about the UAE pavilion in Expo Milan, email questions@expo2015uae.com.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
RACE CARD
5pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Purebred Arabian Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Cup Listed (TB); Dh 380,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Group 3 (PA); Dh 500,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Jewel Crown Group 1 (PA); Dh 5,000,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap (PA); Dh 150,000 (T) 1,400m
8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T); 1,400m
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
