• Performers at Al Wasl Dome help to mark World Children's Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National
    Performers at Al Wasl Dome help to mark World Children's Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Mexican band Vazquez Sounds perform at Al Wasl Dome during World Children's Day
    Mexican band Vazquez Sounds perform at Al Wasl Dome during World Children's Day
  • Tanzanian singer Abby Chams was among the artists to perform at the Expo
    Tanzanian singer Abby Chams was among the artists to perform at the Expo
  • Youths read from books to help celebrate World Children's Day
    Youths read from books to help celebrate World Children's Day
  • The occasion has been marked by a variety of events and performances at the Expo
    The occasion has been marked by a variety of events and performances at the Expo
  • Lebanese singer Yara, a regional ambassador for the UN children's fund, at Al Wasl Dome
    Lebanese singer Yara, a regional ambassador for the UN children's fund, at Al Wasl Dome
  • World Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children around the globe.
    World Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children around the globe.
  • The occasion has been marked at Expo by musical performances
    The occasion has been marked at Expo by musical performances
  • Visitors enjoy the events organised to mark World Children's Day at the Expo
    Visitors enjoy the events organised to mark World Children's Day at the Expo
  • The performances were organised by the world’s fair, the UAE's Ministry of Community Development and Unicef
    The performances were organised by the world’s fair, the UAE's Ministry of Community Development and Unicef
  • Visitors have been treated to a variety of different music
    Visitors have been treated to a variety of different music
  • UAE jets fly over Al Wasl Dome during World Children's Day
    UAE jets fly over Al Wasl Dome during World Children's Day
  • Visitors could attend talks and events throughout the day
    Visitors could attend talks and events throughout the day
  • Performers from around the world have taken part in the occasion
    Performers from around the world have taken part in the occasion
  • Visitors enjoy a performances at Al Wasl Dome
    Visitors enjoy a performances at Al Wasl Dome
  • The Expo has hosted a variety of performers and musicians to help mark World Children's Day
    The Expo has hosted a variety of performers and musicians to help mark World Children's Day

Expo 2020 Dubai records 4.1 million visits in seven weeks


Kelly Clarke
  • English
  • Arabic

Expo 2020 Dubai has welcomed more than four million visits through its gates since opening to the public on October 1.

Figures released on Monday showed there were 4,156,985 visits in the past seven weeks, with the popular Irish show, Riverdance, helping to draw the crowds during the evenings throughout November.

Organisers said sales of the half-price November ticket, which costs just Dh45 until the end of the month, were also going strong, with more than 120,000 weekday tickets sold over the past three weeks.

In terms of the number of virtual visits, Expo said those going online to catch a glimpse of the world fair reached a staggering 22 million.

"I'm also delighted to say that the schools programme is very active now thanks to the better weather," said Sconaid McGeachin, senior vice president of communications for Expo 2020 Dubai.

"Over the past 31 days, Expo has attracted over 200,000 [pupils] from private and public schools across the UAE.

"[Pupils] have enjoyed four dedicated school journeys related to themes like the Legacy of the UAE and Sustainable Planet."

Coming up this week and for the first time in Expo history, the fair will host the World Chess Championship.

Starting on November 24 and running until December 16, visitors to the Dubai Exhibition Halls will be able to see two world-class players go head-to-head.

Magnus Carlsen, from Norway, and Ian Nepomniachtchi, from Russia, will start their 14-game match this week and will battle it out for a €2 million ($2.25 million) prize pot, split 60-40.

The world fair has welcomed hordes of international visitors since opening last month and passengers flying on Emirates have been able to get their hands on a free day-pass to the Expo site too.

To claim your pass, just enter your details on the Emirates website under the Expo tab and the tickets will be mailed directly to the person who booked the flights. The offer is valid until March 31, 2022.

Street performers at Expo 2020 Dubai – in pictures

  • Performers during the Antigua and Barbuda National Day Parade at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Performers during the Antigua and Barbuda National Day Parade at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Street dancers entertain the crowd. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Street dancers entertain the crowd. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • A bubble performer entertains visitors to the world's fair. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    A bubble performer entertains visitors to the world's fair. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Traditional Russian performers during Russia Fest at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Traditional Russian performers during Russia Fest at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • More bubbles in Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    More bubbles in Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Pauliteiros de Miranda, a traditional Portuguese dance, at the Portugal pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Pauliteiros de Miranda, a traditional Portuguese dance, at the Portugal pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Performers at Expo 2020, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Performers at Expo 2020, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • An acrobat dressed as a bee performs in the air during the Colours of the World daily parade on the streets of Expo 2020 Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    An acrobat dressed as a bee performs in the air during the Colours of the World daily parade on the streets of Expo 2020 Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Opti the robot entertains families on the streets of Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Opti the robot entertains families on the streets of Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Music on the streets of Dubai for Expo 2020. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Music on the streets of Dubai for Expo 2020. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Street dancers entertain the crowds. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Street dancers entertain the crowds. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A giant tiger puppet prowls the streets. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A giant tiger puppet prowls the streets. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus

A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Brandt%20Andersen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Sy%2C%20Jason%20Beghe%2C%20Angeliki%20Papoulia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
%3Cp%3EElena%20Rybakina%20(Kazakhstan)%0D%3Cbr%3EOns%20Jabeur%20(Tunisia)%0D%3Cbr%3EMaria%20Sakkari%20(Greece)%0D%3Cbr%3EBarbora%20Krej%C4%8D%C3%ADkov%C3%A1%20(Czech%20Republic)%0D%3Cbr%3EBeatriz%20Haddad%20Maia%20(Brazil)%0D%3Cbr%3EJe%C4%BCena%20Ostapenko%20(Latvia)%0D%3Cbr%3ELiudmila%20Samsonova%0D%3Cbr%3EDaria%20Kasatkina%E2%80%AF%0D%3Cbr%3EVeronika%20Kudermetova%E2%80%AF%0D%3Cbr%3ECaroline%20Garcia%20(France)%E2%80%AF%0D%3Cbr%3EMagda%20Linette%20(Poland)%E2%80%AF%0D%3Cbr%3ESorana%20C%C3%AErstea%20(Romania)%E2%80%AF%0D%3Cbr%3EAnastasia%20Potapova%E2%80%AF%0D%3Cbr%3EAnhelina%20Kalinina%20(Ukraine)%E2%80%AF%E2%80%AF%0D%3Cbr%3EJasmine%20Paolini%20(Italy)%E2%80%AF%0D%3Cbr%3EEmma%20Navarro%20(USA)%E2%80%AF%0D%3Cbr%3ELesia%20Tsurenko%20(Ukraine)%0D%3Cbr%3ENaomi%20Osaka%20(Japan)%20-%20wildcard%0D%3Cbr%3EEmma%20Raducanu%20(Great%20Britain)%20-%20wildcard%3Cbr%3EAlexandra%20Eala%20(Philippines)%20-%20wildcard%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

Scorline

Iraq 1-0 UAE

Iraq Hussein 28’

Updated: November 22, 2021, 8:53 AM