Part of the highly anticipated Expo 2020 Dubai site opened to residents and tourists for the first time on Friday.
The Sustainability pavilion, an enormous sunshade encircled with solar-powered trees and embedded with green energy solutions, became the first area to welcome visitors, nine months ahead of the Expo's formal inauguration.
Beneath the large, disc-shaped construction is a preview of the future attractions visitors to the World Fair can expect in October.
Two more pavilions, Mobility and Opportunity, will debut by April as part of the Pavilions Premiere.
Visitors will be able to spot other landmark structures although these are not yet open. They can explore the grounds and see some of the installations already in place.
The pavilions offer all sorts of fun and informative outdoor experiences that will surely inspire environment and technology enthusiasts.
Here is everything you need to know before visiting the Dubai Expo 2020 site.
What will I see?
The Sustainability pavilion will open five days a week to a limited number of visitors.
Visitors will walk past tall solar-studded trees that rotate as they track the Sun. Interactive displays can be seen under a ringed-roof dotted with thousands of photovoltaic panels.
Sustainability is the first of three main theme pavilions to open. Visitors may be able to spot the other two structures – Mobility and Opportunity – while touring the venue. These will open to the public over the next few months.
The exhibitions are designed for all ages and promise fun outdoor experiences. There is a playground for children. The Expo promises live entertainment, activities for children and food trucks as well.
Timings and bookings
Expo 2020 Pavilions Premiere begins on Friday and runs until April 10. Gates open from 3pm to 9pm Tuesday to Thursday and 4pm to 10pm Friday to Saturday.
Tickets cost Dh25 and must be bought online at ticketing.expo2020dubai.com. A limit of 10 tickets per transaction applies.
Physical distancing restrictions mean the tickets must be booked in advance.
The ticket will cover entry to one or two of the pavilions premiered: the Sustainability pavilion, Mobility and/or the Opportunity pavilion depending on the date and availability.
Entry is free for children under five, people with special needs and their companions, as well as adults aged 60 and above.
All visitors, including those eligible for complimentary access, are required to book tickets.
How to get there
Bus
The Expo Rider is a free public bus service dedicated to Expo 2020. The bus will be available every 30 minutes from the Dubai Mall bus station to the Expo 2020 site. Seats on the bus cannot be booked and are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The service from Dubai Mall begins from 2pm on Tuesday to Thursday and 3pm Friday to Saturday.
Taxis or car hire
Visitors can hail a cab on the street or book one using the Careem or Uber apps.
Dubai Taxi Corporation has a limited number of taxis with wheelchair access. Call 800 88088 to book ahead.
To hire an accessible private car and driver, Inclusion Services provides vehicles across the UAE. For more information visit inclusionservices.ae
Personal cars
Free parking is available at the site. Visitors should follow road signs to the theme pavilion listed on their ticket.
Parking is available from 2.30pm Tuesday to Thursday and 3.30pm Friday to Saturday.
Parking will close at 9pm Saturday to Wednesday and 10pm Friday to Saturday.
Valet parking is not available.
Shuttle buses will run from the car park to the nearest visitor entrance.
Buggies will be provided, if needed, for people with special needs, accompanying family or companions to help them reach the main gate from the parking area.
Visitors should carry a valid "people of determination" parking permit from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority. These include a blue card for people with permanent conditions, red card for people with temporary immobility, green for vehicles of companies that transport people with special needs or a yellow card for tourists with disabilities.
Public transport
The Dubai Metro line to the Expo site will not be running but visitors can use the free Expo Rider buses.
Are there special discounts for students, groups?
At present, there are no special discounts but visitors should contact the Expo centre on 800 EXPO [3976] to book for groups larger than 50.
Do I need to pay for anything else on site?
There will be no additional entry charges. Food, drink and souvenirs will be available for purchase.
The Origins Cafe will be open at the Sustainability pavilion and there will be other options across the pavilion concourse.
How much time should I set aside for the visit?
It could take about an hour to walk through a pavilion. There will be more activities and food stalls so the Expo recommends visitors plan for additional time to explore the area.
Will it be a guided tour?
Guides will not be required but volunteers will be present to answer any questions.
Can I visit other areas apart from the theme pavilions?
Before and after a visit to the pavilions, people can glimpse the public spaces, explore the Expo grounds, view installations and artworks.
Can I enter any of the country pavilions?
No. Only the three theme pavilions will be open for the Pavilions Premiere.
The Sustainability Pavilion will be the first to welcome visitors from January 22. The Mobility and Opportunity pavilions will open in the first quarter of 2021.
Is the site accessible for people with special needs?
Yes. Organisers have made sure of this.
Tickets for people with special needs and one companion each are free. All visitors, including people with disabilities, must obtain a ticket online.
Visitors are advised to carry an ID card should a member of the Expo team ask to see some form of identification. This can be any relevant national identity card for people with special needs such as a Sanad card, social security benefit letter, DLA, EU, or ADA disability card.
A limited number of wheelchairs will be available on site free of charge.
There are accessible toilets in the arrival plazas and theme pavilions.
If visitors have medication that must be refrigerated, it can be left at a first aid centre. No other medical equipment can be stored. The product must be carefully packed, sealed and labelled and collected by the end of the day. Any item left behind will be disposed of at the end of the day.
How far in advance can I book a ticket?
Slots can be booked a maximum of two weeks in advance of your chosen journey date.
Must I print my ticket?
Printed tickets are accepted. You can also show your ticket and the linked QR code on your mobile phone or tablet.
Can I rebook if I am late?
Late entrances into the pavilion may not be accepted owing to capacity restrictions.
If the ticket is for the early time slot of 3pm on weekdays or 4pm on weekends, visitors can access the site and pavilions up to 30 minutes after their booked time.
If the ticket is for 4pm or later on weekdays or 5pm or later on weekends, visitors can access the site up to 60 minutes before their booked time and up to 30 minutes after their booked time slot.
Can I move my booking to another date or get a refund?
Tickets are non-refundable, cancellations and date changes are not allowed. All tickets are transferable so visitors can pass their ticket to a relative or friend. Ticket resale is not permitted privately or via a public platform.
Once I have seen the pavilion, what would draw me back in October?
Expo organisers say this is a small but vital piece of the site. Once the entire Expo arena opens, there will be pavilions of different countries, installations, entertainment and international cuisine from around the globe.
What products can I buy at the Expo retail outlets?
A range of products from souvenirs, toys, stationery, homeware, sporting and outdoor goods are on sale at Expo.
Are Covid-19 safety measures in place?
Capacity limits are in place to control the number of people permitted. Thermal cameras at arrival points will check the temperature of all visitors. People must wear face masks at all times. Social distancing norms of at least two metres between people must be maintained. Staff will monitor and ensure safety protocols are observed. Venues will be regularly sanitised. Hand sanitiser stations are positioned at regular intervals. Specialist staff are available to handle medical issues.
What if I have more questions?
Please call the Expo contact centre for additional information on (+971) 800 EXPO [3976].
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
Name: Colm McLoughlin
Country: Galway, Ireland
Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free
Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals
2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis
2004 Beat Andy Roddick
2005 Beat Andy Roddick
2006 Beat Rafael Nadal
2007 Beat Rafael Nadal
2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal
2009 Beat Andy Roddick
2012 Beat Andy Murray
2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2017 Beat Marin Cilic
WWE TLC results
Asuka won the SmackDown Women's title in a TLC triple threat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Dean Ambrose won the Intercontinental title against Seth Rollins
Daniel Bryan retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles
Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women's Championship against Nia Jax
Rey Mysterio beat Randy Orton in a chairs match
Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre
Natalya beat Ruby Riott in a tables match
Braun Strowman beat Baron Corbin in a TLC match
Sheamus and Cesaro retained the SmackDown Tag Titles against The Usos and New Day
R-Truth and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge by beating Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away
It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.
The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.
But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.
At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.
The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.
After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.
Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.
And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.
At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.
And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.
* Agence France Presse
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The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Indika
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Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
The%20Beekeeper
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