Latest: Five things you can see and do at Expo City
The UAE’s first fully pedestrianised neighbourhood, Expo City Dubai, opens on Thursday ― five months after the end of the spectacular world’s fair that drew millions from around the world.
Much like any Dubai neighbourhood, visitors can walk around most public spaces at Expo City Dubai for free.
But tickets will be required to gain access to the attractions.
Visitors can book tickets online or on-site for the three main attractions that will welcome guests from Thursday.
Expo enthusiasts will have a second chance to relive the magic when they board the Expo train, hop on a buggy or ride an e-bike ― these can be hired across the site.
Much awaited relaunch
Preparations are at full throttle to ensure walking paths, eating areas and ticket booths are ready. The official opening will be held in October.
Senior officials describe a sprawling space in transition being transformed into a ‘go-to destination.’
Tickets can be bought online or on site for some of the Expo’s most popular sites: Terra — The Sustainability Pavilion, Alif — The Mobility Pavilion and the towering Garden in the Sky.
Entry to the large Al Wasl projection dome and the striking Surreal waterfall will be free in October.
“The site that hosted an exceptional World Expo for six months is in transition to becoming Dubai’s newest urban destination,” Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer at Expo City Dubai told The National in an exclusive interview.
“For September and for the official opening, the priority is very much on ensuring the site offers a welcoming and seamless visitor experience — from setting up ticket booths and ensuring adequate and nearby parking, to putting the finishing touches on pedestrian pathways and making transport options available — all of which reinforces Expo City Dubai’s offering as a human-centric destination.”
No cars allowed
Health, fitness and well-being will be at the core of the development that has 10 kilometres of cycling paths, a 5km running track and 45,000 square metres of parks and garden.
“With a low-rise campus feel, the city is fully pedestrianised, improving safety and air quality with no cars allowed within the districts,” Mr Al Khatib said.
“Presenting a smarter, more balanced, resilient, and sustainable way of life, Expo City Dubai offers the chance to live in harmony with nature, and with each other.”
Food trucks and free entry
Food trucks will offer snacks and refreshments to visitors in September and more dining options will be announced soon.
While most public areas can be entered free of cost, tickets to Terra and Alif will cost Dh50 per person per pavilion. Entry is free for children aged 12 years and under, as well as for people with disabilities.
There will be four ticket booths near the three attractions to reopen from Thursday.
People can enjoy a bird’s-eye view for Dh30 per person at the Garden in the Sky installation.
In October, the Al Wasl Plaza and Surreal water feature will reopen. These will be free of charge and on a first come, first served basis. Both venues can be hired out for private events.
The women’s and the vision pavilions, the children’s playgrounds and the carousel will also open in October.
Parking near pavilions
Visitors can take the metro and bus services to the site from Thursday.
Parking, including dedicated slots for people with special needs, will be available at Al Forsan, as well as the Jubilee, Mobility and Sustainability zones, from September onwards.
Parking zones will be in proximity to the reopened attractions and public areas so visitors will not need to wait for a shuttle bus.
Buggies, the Expo explorer train, e-scooters and e-bikes are available for hire throughout the site.
Technology and community
The development will prioritise health, technology, business collaborations, immersive educational experiences and community interaction.
The aim is to attract multinationals, start-ups, government organisations and academia.
Several companies including Siemens, DP World have confirmed setting up office.
“As a free zone that will be a key contributor to the UAE’s wider diversification and development, we view our tenants as partners in the growth of Expo City Dubai — partners who are being carefully selected for their alignment with the values promoted throughout Expo 2020, particularly in the areas of innovation, technology, education and healthcare,” Mr Al Khatib said.
“Playing a pivotal role in the evolution of Dubai, Expo City Dubai also builds on the success of Expo 2020 Dubai as the go-to destination for globally significant events, including the much anticipated 2023 UN Climate Change Conference Cop28.”
He said people would be at the centre of the development.
“Expo City Dubai’s places an immense value and focus on community — one where people, businesses, technologies, and industries connect, collaborate, and innovate based on a deep-rooted belief that a broad coalition of people, working together, can propel human progress to help create a more sustainable and dignified future for all,” he said.
“A rich cultural and entertainment programme will also carry the spirit of our unforgettable World Expo, celebrating human innovation, imagination and ingenuity.”
Attention will also be paid to children and youths, with the return of the Expo School programme and other activities scheduled.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
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Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
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Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs
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Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs
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All matches at the Harare Sports Club
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- 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16
Squads:
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- Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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