WHAT IS BEING hailed “the greatest show on earth”, Expo 2020 Dubai, will unravel in the glitzy Middle Eastern emirate from October 20 2020 to April 10 2021. Historically, the ties between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Africa have meant trade and cultural exchanges, and so too, the extravaganza will bring the African continent to the center of the world, including some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, creating value for both regions. Manal AlBayat offers a sneak peek into the world-class sites being developed for the 173-day Expo, drawing more than 190 countries, and what it will offer Africa:
How will this extravaganza drive small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the region and beyond? Beyond the six months of the event itself, we’re committed to leaving a meaningful and sustainable legacy, across a number of dimensions – physical, social, reputational and of course, economic. We know that SMEs are a significant driver of economies across the world and so the expo is committed to acting as an enabler for them.
Firstly, we are maximizing SME integration into the expo supply chain. For example, we have special tendering terms for SMEs to allow them to tender competitively. We are on track to deliver 20% of all direct and indirect spend from the expo budget towards SMEs, and to date, they have been awarded AED3.81 billion ($1.03 billion).
Secondly, we are facilitating the connections and partnerships that will drive long-term growth. In particular, the Expo 2020 Online Marketplace is a free online platform that enables businesses to connect, collaborate and compete for business opportunities globally, and it’s where all of the Expo 2020 tenders are listed. We currently have more than 37,000 suppliers from over 150 countries registered, and around 85% of these are SMEs.
How is Africa being represented?
Esta historia es de la edición December 2019 - January 2020 de Forbes Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 2019 - January 2020 de Forbes Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
TRACK, WATCH, BEFRIEND
IN THE PRISTINE WILDERNESS OF GABON ARE THE MAJESTIC AND GENTLE WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLAS. A FIRSTHAND REPORT FROM OUR TRAVEL WRITER ON WHAT GOES INTO HABITUATING THEM.
CHALLENGING BUT NECESSARY: THE AI BALANCING PROBLEM
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues transforming many industries, providing unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency. However, these advancements bring complex challenges that necessitate a delicate balancing act.
BEYOND ACADEMIA: THE SOCIETAL IMPACT OF MULTILATERAL EDUCATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
The great poet William Butler Yeats once said, \"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.\"
The Business Of Dance: Embracing One's Individuality And Style
In the dynamic world of street dance, passion and perseverance pave the way for success. Living out this ethos is South African born B-girl turned businesswoman, Courtnaé Paul.
COMPASSION FATIGUE: THE DANGEROUS DESCENT FROM HELPING TO HURTING
It is a workplace reality that caring too much for your colleagues can hurt you.
IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE CRITICAL TO FIND OUR NICHE
Have you found your niche? I received a lot of advice when I set up my company, but perhaps the most important consisted of just three words: Find Your Niche.
HOW TO MAKE AFRICA WIN OFF THE FIELD TOO
When all else fails, try sports. It's good for the soul.
BEAN THERE, DONE THAT
British author Roald Dahl tapped into every chocoholic's imagination when creating Willy Wonka's bizarre chocolate factory in his 1964 children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN WORKING WITH AL PACINO ON BROADWAY'
Arnold Vosloo Actor
BLENDED FINANCE: BRIDGING THE GAP IN EMERGING MARKETS IN SUPPORT OF THE SDGS
Amid the widespread global support for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there was an underlying concern among economists and financial advisors in the emerging and frontier markets: public sector and donor funds were stalled, if not regressing, and the funding gap to realize the SDGs was increasing.
