'Come to Dubai and shine' - United Arab Emirates extends invitation to Jamaica
Published:Thursday | January 25, 2018 | 12:00 AMJason Cross/Gleaner Writer
Recently installed United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Jamaica, Baber Abdullah Saeed Almatroshi, has issued an invitation to the Jamaican Government to send a delegation to Expo Dubai 2020.
The ambassador, whose office is located in Havana, Cuba, is responsible for affairs between the UAE and that country, as well as Jamaica and Venezuela.
He was in the island to discuss with government and private sector leaders, opportunities for expanding trade relations between the two countries, as well as to receive official confirmation of Jamaica's participation in the expo, which is expected to attract millions of visitors from across the world.
With the promise of Jamaica having its own pavilion, the ambassador urged the Govern-ment to confirm as soon as possible because, among other things, the opportunity is not one to be missed.
International event
"Expo 2020 will be the first time the expo will happen in the Middle East. The expo is an international event that goes for six months. It will take place from the 20th of October 2020 to April 10, 2021. We plan to host 25 million visitors, with 70 per cent of them coming from beyond the nation's borders.
"This is a wonderful opportunity not just for Dubai, but also will be a hub for the whole region, and to showcase the opportunities Jamaica can offer. The next step is the confirmation from Government. It is very important not to depend on one or two markets, but to diversify," he told a gathering last Thursday during a special presentation on Dubai and the expo.
The presentation was organised by the Jamaica Exporters' Association (JEA).
Jamaica will not only be able to showcase products of the soil, but will also get the opportunity to display its cultural beauty to that side of the world.
Michelle Chong, president of the JEA, said that the expo would be a good avenue to expand the trade in Jamaican products with the UAE and other countries near and far.