For the first time, Bhutan will participate in the World Expo 2020 Dubai, in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) in October next year along with more than 190 countries. World Expo features culture, collaboration and innovations of the participating countries. This will give Bhutan an opportunity to showcase and promote Bhutanese products in the international market.
Bhutan will be taking part at the invitation of the UAE who is hosting the exposition.
Confirming Bhutan’s participation in the Expo, the economic affairs minister signed a contract agreement with the UAE’s assistant minister of foreign affairs yesterday. The Economic Affairs Minister Loknath Sharma said besides showcasing Bhutanese products, the Expo will also be a huge opportunity for Bhutan to promote tourism and culture to other participating countries.
To support Bhutan’s participation in the Expo, UAE has agreed to provide a pavilion free of cost.
“We cannot imagine a world Expo being hosted in our country, in our region without Bhutan’s participation I think Bhutan has a lot to offer, I think Bhutan has a lot to showcase- Bhutan’s development goals, excellent policies when it comes to sustainability, when it comes to agriculture, when it comes to hospitality and tourism and the happiness indicators as well,” Maha Al Gargawi, the Vice President- International Participants of Expo 2020, said.
The economic affairs ministry is yet to decide on the number of participation of Bhutanese and product category.
The World Expo which is organised once every five years will be held in Dubai between October 2020 and April 2021 with the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the future.’ The Expo is expected to bring together the best of trade, innovation and products from all over the world to the UAE.
Expo 2020 is being hosted for the first time in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. The first world expo was held at Crystal Palace in London in 1851 showcasing the inventions of the Industrial Revolution.