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-Top News Dubai EXPO 2020

Expo 2020 Dubai to draft roadmap for world’s future

Expo 2020 Dubai would showcase experiences and innovations from around the world, inspiring future generations to adopt solutions to global challenges, according to a top official with the Expo 2020, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

Expo 2020 Dubai is looking forward to bring together countries and communities to draft a roadmap for their future, by leveraging the participation of more than 200 countries and international organisations to enable participants and visitors to play a part in making a positive change, said Chief of Staff to the Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Over six months, Expo 2020 Dubai’s ‘Programme for People and Planet’ will help achieve these objectives through 10 Theme Weeks, 18 International Days and more than 220 events – including forums, conferences and workshops – that explore key issues of global significance, Nadia Verjee, who is also responsible for the programme, said.

Nadia Verjee

“Spanning crucial topics including climate change, biodiversity and the future of healthcare and education, the programme is underpinned by the need for serious action, leveraging the convening power of Expo 2020 Dubai to support global efforts to enhance the quality of life for future generations,” she told WAM.

Verjee stressed that Expo 2020 Dubai would showcase experiences and innovations from around the world, inspiring future generations to adopt solutions to global challenges and catalysing a one-of-a-kind movement to shape the legacy that Expo 2020 Dubai leaves the world.

“Our world continues to change rapidly, and we need to move forward and collaborate to keep pace with rapid developments.

“Expo 2020 Dubai is one of the first in-person global gatherings to take place during the COVID-19 pandemic, and offers the world a golden opportunity to work together to overcome future challenges,” Verjee said.

ALSO READ: Dubai Expo Unveils Rising Flavours Dining Hall

She added that that the programme’s Theme Weeks will explore solutions to humanity’s most critical challenges, kicking off with Climate and Biodiversity Week, held in association with DP World and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, that will host discussions around five key issues of climate change, disaster risk management, circular economy and green economy, endangered areas, and protecting natural resources and biodiversity.

Later in October, Space Week will explore the space sector across three topics, namely space exploration, governance, and laws on space and space data, in association with the UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.

Urban and Rural Development Week will see the participation of UN-Habitat, Siemens and the Aga Khan Development Network and will focus on the five key topics of cities and informal settlements, access to services, urban planning, infrastructure, transport and comprehensive rural development.

In association with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, Tolerance and Inclusivity Week will focus on cultural pluralism, coexistence and understanding between different religions, communities and cultures, inclusivity of people of determination, peace and security, comprehensive dialogue and media credibility.

Knowledge and Learning Week, co-curated with Dubai Cares, will probe the future of education, labour, skills, informal education and knowledge-based systems.

Looking to 2022, Travel and Connectivity Week, in association with Emirates and Etisalat, will cover digital communication, digital government, smart transport, supply chains, trade and travel.

The United Nations will co-host Global Goals Week, which will see an emphasis on women and social development.

Health and Wellness Week will bring together participants, including the World Health Organisation and the Mohammed bin Rashid Medicine and Health Sciences University, to discuss healthcare systems, medical tech solutions, healthcare services for local communities, and wellness and happiness. Attention to these issues is especially important in a pandemic world.

Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods Week will shed light on key topics including food systems, food waste, food safety, small agricultural projects and food security, held in association with PepsiCo, the Minister of State’s Office for Food and Water Security and Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

The series will end with Water Week, co-curated with the Minister of State’s Office for Food and Water Security, Ministry of Energy and Industry, and Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Topics will include water management, oceans and the ocean economy, water-based environmental systems, water supply networks and sanitation.

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Dubai Events UAE News

Dubai Municipality wins 10 categories of International Stevie Awards

Dubai Municipality has achieved an exceptional and remarkable presence in the international Stevie Awards competitions, by winning ten categories of the award…reports Asian Lite News

The Municipality’s enhanced presence in the award was due to its keenness to apply the principles of competitiveness and innovation in its various practices, and to work according to the highest international standards.

Published Materials category

Dubai Municipality won the gold position in the Published Materials category, organized by the International Business Organization. The Municipality designed and prepared an environmental story aimed at educating children about the importance of preserving natural reserves in the emirate, specifically the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary.

Dubai Municipality with new logo

IT Service Management category

Dubai Municipality won the gold in the IT Service Management category, with the IT Service Management System and Technical Systems Control, which aims to preserve all technical resources.

Business Technology Solutions category

The Municipality also won gold in the Business Technology Solutions category, for its initiative, “Dubai Municipality program to implement the requirements of the Dubai strategy for paperless transactions.” The initiative aims to achieve the objectives and requirements of the Dubai Government’s strategy for paperless transactions, and digitize all services provided to customers and internal operations in Dubai Municipality.

Best e-Book category

Dubai Municipality won a gold position in the Best e-Book category, as the initiative, “Guide on Outdoor Seating in the Emirate of Dubai” won the award The guide was published in 2020 with the aim of raising awareness among restaurant owners and various agencies and institutions in the emirate on planning standards and regulations for outdoor seating areas , to enable them to provide the external seating of their stores in line with these standards, and to ensure the safety and comfort of the users of the seats and users of the adjacent sidewalks.

ALSO READ: Dubai Municipality wins RoSPA Award

New Product Management category

The Municipality also won Bronze position in the New Product Management category, as its “Smart System for Project Impacts” initiative won the award. It aims to automate and develop the current mechanism for approving infrastructure projects on the Municipality’s survey system and the procedures for approving these projects into a smart mechanism, and obtaining all data necessary through the new smart system electronically and immediately.

Mass Communication category

Dubai Municipality won the silver position in the category of Mass Communication, for the media coverage initiative to launch the environmental satellite DMSAT-1. The media team in the Municipality covered the event live, in cooperation and coordination with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, through a direct link to launch the environmental satellite, in addition to media coverage by newspapers, radio and television channels.

Traditional and New Media Integration category

The digital marketing campaign of the Dubai Engineering System also won award in the Traditional and New Media Integration category. The system is a comprehensive and unified platform to ensure the quality of construction, as the marketing and promotional campaign of the system has significantly increased the number of its users and exceeded expectations.

Customer Service Team category

Dubai Municipality won the silver position in the Customer Service Team category and the Best Customer Service Executive category. The Dubai Frame won the award for the Best Customer Service Team category, due to the implementation by the Frame’s customer service team the highest levels of service and the establishment of more than 45 excellent events and community services, reaching 98% of customer happiness, and speaking in 11 different languages ​​with customers, including sign language.

Best Customer Service Executive category

Yousef Abdullah Al Hammadi, Head of the Big Parks Unit, won the “Best Customer Service Executive” award for his effective contribution to improving the services provided to visitors to public parks in Dubai and enhancing customer happiness for the services provided.

Best Government Response During Covid-19 category

Dubai Municipality won the silver position for the “Best Government Response During Covid-19” category for its Customer Happiness Initiative, which aims to ensure business continuity and service provision, in addition to the continuity of communication programs with customers, list out and meet their needs using modern and smart methods. More than 44 virtual forums were organized for different categories of customers achieving 100% in the percentage indicator of customer categories who were contacted in 2020.

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-Top News Dubai UAE News

NBF launches electronic trading platform

National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) has announced the launch of its electronic trading platform – NBFX, which offers customers digital experience to hedge their treasury requirements…reports Asian Lite News

The new platform is available for both conventional and Shariah-compliant banking customers on a 24/5 basis, which means that customers can execute transactions during and beyond the bank’s working hours and benefit from liquidity across all time zones.

NBFX acts as an efficient, competitive and user-friendly venue for executing Foreign Exchange and Precious Metal transactions. It provides users with a tailored experience that is based on their needs with instant and easy execution of FX trades, order management and readily available transaction history. Unique to NBFX is the possibility for customers to execute FX Non-Deliverable Forwards (NDFs) and FX Time Options on a 24/5 basis.

NBF launches electronic trading platform

VINCE COOK, NBFX, NBF’s CEO: “The launch of NBFX further highlights the bank’s commitment to being the best financial partner for customers; this is achieved by combining the latest technology with its in-depth market experience. This unique platform ensures that customers are able to customise it according to their preferences, have access to the most competitive price execution, and tap into valuable data and insights to help guide their decisions. In addition, they have the backing of a team of experts across treasury, trading and structuring to help them navigate market changes and hedge underlying risks. Looking ahead, we have plans to expand the scope of NBFX to cater to customers’ wider requirements across energy, base metals and soft commodities.”

Last month, National Bank of Fujairah, NBF, on Monday announced the launch of “NBF Connect”, a dedicated and exclusive banking platform for Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, and the first of its kind in the UAE.

The community platform will serve as a one-stop shop for SME members, which will include access to a suite of services and solutions as well as knowledge-sharing capabilities. Co-created with SMEs, this is the first time a bank joins hands with the SME community to create a platform of this kind “for SMEs, by SMEs”.

The platform will provide members with exclusive features. A suite of business services provided by fellow SMEs such as HR services, legal support, e-commerce and marketplace management for the SME community to meet their business needs.

NBF Connect will be an important part of the business ecosystem as notable partners like Etisalat and Visa join hands with NBF to offer a range of non-banking services to empower SMEs with the right tools and support them to move ahead in their journey.

Some of the other services include a discussion platform where SMEs will be engaging in industry-focused conversations such as the opportunities and challenges that currently exist, a news and events hub where members will be receiving the latest SME news and business trends coupled by a calendar of the latest SME events. Commenting on the launch, Rehan Ali, Head of Business Banking, said, “We are very excited to be launching NBF Connect, the very first SME platform in the UAE. Testament to their status as the engine of growth and development, SMEs contribute up to 40% of Dubai’s GDP alone. As such, we are proud to be the first bank to launch a platform that caters specifically to the needs and aspirations of these businesses. This platform embodies our long-term commitment to UAE’s vibrant business ecosystem as we worked closely with the SME community to bring it to life

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Dubai EXPO 2020 UAE News

MasterCard with an initiative to contribute to our #PricelessPlanet

When purchasing tickets, visitors to the Expo 2020 Dubai website will now be able to donate to Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition upon checkout as an add-on feature…reports Asian Lite News

As the Official Payment Technology Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Mastercard will be powering the mega-event’s payments and ticketing platform and offering visitors an opportunity to join the fight against climate change. When purchasing tickets, visitors to the Expo 2020 Dubai website will now be able to donate to Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition upon checkout as an add-on feature.

Supported by strategic partners including Expo 2020 Dubai, Emirates NBD and Network International, the Priceless Planet Coalition aims to restore 100 million trees globally by 2025.  Together, the coalition aims to unite businesses, governments and consumers in climate action, engaging Expo visitors directly and enabling them to easily take action for the planet.

MC x Expo 2020 Dubai PPC

Within the UAE, the donations will be allocated towards restoring mangrove trees across the country’s natural ecosystems. Effective mangrove restoration strategies can support the long-term resilience of coastal ecosystems that in turn provide numerous benefits to people, such as the recovery of declining fish stocks, improving water quality, conserving cultural identity, as well as offering opportunities for eco-tourism.

With consumers in the region becoming more willing to take personal action to combat environmental and sustainability issues, the global technology leader aims to bring the issue of climate change at the forefront of Expo 2020 Dubai.

ALSO READ: Exclusive card programmes to power Expo experience

As the world’s biggest cultural gathering opens its doors, Mastercard will continue to bring forth some of the best and brightest innovations around the world. The company will also be unveiling its consumer-facing experiential exhibit in the lead-up to Expo 2020 Dubai with endless opportunities and cutting-edge solutions.

Powered by Mastercard Payment Gateway Services, Expo 2020’s ticketing platform is enabling users to accept a wide range of digital payments easily and securely from all over the world while offering innovative solutions for processing and fraud prevention. Using the latest proprietary Artificial Intelligence technology – Brighterion – Mastercard is ensuring fraud prevention for Expo 2020 Dubai’s website by offering seamless, secure, and personalized experiences that bring together the next era of innovation.

EXPO 2020

Further easing the journey for guests, Mastercard is embedding Click to Pay, the next generation of eCommerce technology, to make it easy and safe for UAE consumers to instantly check out without the need to enter their card credentials across various Click to Pay-enabled sites or to store this sensitive information with different merchants.

Mastercard invites all visitors to discover a seamless world – one without borders – using the power of technology that leaves and creates a positive legacy for humanity and the planet.

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Dubai Events UAE News

CreaKids Education Centre new branch opens

Norwegian early learning center CreaKids has officially opened its new branch in the iconic Falconcity of Wonders’ integrated complex in Dubai…reports Asian Lite News

Norwegian early learning center CreaKids has officially opened its new branch in the iconic Falconcity of Wonders’ integrated complex in Dubai. His Excellency Salem Ahmad Almoosa, Founder and Chairman of Falconcity of Wonders, and Mr. Ahmad Lootah, Owner of CreaKids led the opening ceremony of the facility, along with other prominent figures. Other representatives of CreaKids, a subsidiary of the international group Dibber, also attended the ceremony.

CreaKids Education Centre new branch opens

Commenting on the opening, H.E. Salem Ahmad Almoosa said: “We are committed to providing a holistic and integrated environment where families and residents can enjoy an exclusive lifestyle, while ensuring that they have an easy access to high-quality education for their children. CreaKids is bringing exceptional learning opportunity for kids in our community and we are confident that parents and their children will benefit immensely from this collaboration.”  

ALSO READ: Dubai Set To Boost Trade Ties With France

MR. AHMAD LOOTAH: “We are excited to start the operations of our new branch at Falconcity of Wonders. Similar to our other branches across the UAE, this new center will also ensure play-based and interactive learning as well as mastery to support the holistic development of children. We welcome this collaboration, and we look forward to meeting our first batch of young students.”

CreaKids is one of the diverse establishments operating at FCW, reflecting the developer’s mission to build an integrated community for residents of Dubai and the UAE.

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Dubai Technology UAE News

BeanBurds launched augmented reality

With this latest AR innovation on BeanBurds.com, customers can view products in real time, from wherever they are…reports Asian Lite News

Innovative UAE startup BeanBurds has launched augmented reality to improve the online shopping experience for coffee connoisseurs. BeanBurds offers specialty beans, coffee machines, tools, accessories and everything needed to craft the perfect brew at home. With this latest AR innovation on BeanBurds.com, customers can view products in real time, from wherever they are. A complete 3D visualization enables shoppers to picture how products such as coffee machines might look in their homes before purchase. It takes the guesswork out of online shopping, especially when it comes to buying coffee machines and setting up a coffee bar at home. It also enables contactless and safer shopping, as shoppers get to see products close up.

BeanBurds Augmented Reality Feature

Salem Ahmed, Founder and CEO of BeanBurds said: “At BeanBurds, we always think of how we can deliver exceptional coffee experiences by identifying customer pain points and fixing them with innovative solutions. I believe AR has immense possibilities in the food and beverage industry. We are excited to launch this feature and exceed customer expectations.”

ALSO READ: UAE Balloon to launch 1st edition of Abraham Balloon Festival

Launched in 2020 during the onset of the pandemic to support local coffee roasters, BeanBurds provides coffee lovers in the UAE a one-stop online shopping platform. BeanBurds also has a virtual barista powered by Artificial Intelligence that helps coffee enthusiasts match their personal preferences with the right coffee from a wide range of varieties by several local roasters across UAE such as Coffee Planet, Emirati Coffee Roastery, RoR Roastery, Nightjar Coffee Roaster, Nusantara Coffee Roasters, Saraya Specialty Coffees, Golden Beans to name a few.

Covid-19 has changed the way we shop forever. From buying everyday groceries to buying homes, more consumers are shopping online like never before and this change is likely to last after the pandemic is over. The crisis has presented challenges for many companies, but it has also provided several opportunities; companies that invest ambitiously and timely in their online businesses are likely to emerge as market leaders.

BeanBurds Augmented Reality Feature

Experience augmented reality shopping for yourself by downloading BeanBurds’ mobile app here (link) to find out why shoppers believe it is the next level of online shopping assistance that helps them make better buying decisions.

The UAE is investing time, money and resources in tech innovation and advancement with the ambition of becoming a world leader by the golden jubilee of the Union in 2021. Brands like BeanBurds are paving the way for other businesses to contribute towards the country’s vision, provide value to consumers and emerge as market leaders.

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-Top News Dubai UAE News

Emirates to create 3,500 more jobs

To support its planned ramp-up operations, Emirates has begun a worldwide campaign to recruit 3,000 cabin crew and 500 airport services employees to join its Dubai hub over the next six months…reports Asian Lite News

These roles are Dubai-based positions and frontline customer-facing roles, and both jobs offer exciting opportunities for friendly, energetic, and service-oriented people to meet and interact with the world as Emirates’ brand ambassadors. Candidates interested in joining Emirates as cabin crew or as an airport services agent can find out more about the job requirements and submit their application on www.emiratesgroupcareers.com.

Emirates has gradually restored its network operations in line with the easing of travel restrictions around the world, and over the past months, it has been recalling pilots, cabin crew and other operational employees who were stood down when the pandemic forced a drastic reduction in flights last year, the company said on Thursday.

Emirates to create 3,500 more jobs

The airline currently flies to over 120 cities, representing 90% of its pre-pandemic network, and it plans to restore 70% of its capacity by the end of the year, including bringing back more of its iconic A380 aircraft into active service.

One of the most dynamic global cities, Dubai has also led the world in its response to the pandemic thanks to its strong leadership and public-private sector cooperation. The rapid vaccination roll-out in the United Arab Emirates, and clear pandemic protocols have enabled Dubai to quickly and safely re-open to international tourism and business activities since July 2020.

Dubai continues to attract people from all over the world with its welcoming culture, tax-free environment, and leading infrastructure for living, working and recreation.

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-Top News Events UAE News

UAE Balloon to launch 1st edition of Abraham Balloon Festival

The UAE Balloon Team is set to launch the first edition of the Abraham Balloon Festival during the period from 5th to 10th May, 2022, featuring wide international participation…reports Asian Lite News

Captain Pilot Abdulaziz Nasser Al Mansoori, UAE Balloon Team President, expressed his happiness for organising and launching the first edition of the Abraham Balloon Festival, which embodies the aspirations of youth in the region’s countries to live in peace, in line with the Abraham Accords.

UAE Balloon to launch 1st edition of Abraham Balloon Festival

He stressed the importance of launching this festival, which will attract a large number visitors from across the region and the world to showcase the projects and achievements of Middle Eastern countries in various scientific and cultural fields and build bridges of communication between countries of the world.

ALSO READ: Dubai Set To Boost Trade Ties With France

Al Mansoori added that the festival will include a wide range of heritage, cultural and scientific activities organised by countries from the Middle East and the USA, and will host several regional and international personalities to promote peace, tolerance and coexistence between different cultures of the world.


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-Top News Dubai UAE News

Dubai Set To Boost Trade Ties With France

Dubai saw a total trade of AED14.9 billion with France in 2020. In H1 2021, trade between the two sides touched AED8.5 billion, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

Trade and commercial cooperation between Dubai and France is set to further increase following discussions between the two sides to explore new mutually beneficial opportunities.

Dubai Customs on Thursday organised a virtual Ertibat meeting with a visiting French diplomatic and business delegation.

Dubai Set To Boost Trade Ties With France

Speaking during the meeting Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), said the growth momentum of Dubai’s external trade is gathering pace, driven by a number of factors including the emirate’s outstanding capabilities, dynamism and agility in handling the pandemic.

“We can see tourism and exhibition activity going back to normal in the emirate, with Expo 2020 Dubai around the corner. Dubai has largely managed to mitigate the economic repercussions from the spread of the pandemic. DP World and its terminals around the world are performing very well,” he said.

The meeting between Dubai Customs and the French delegation discussed a number of topics including means to further boost cooperation and facilities offered to foreign businesses. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Executive Chairman of PCFC, Director-General of Dubai Customs; and Xavier Chatel, France’s Ambassador to the UAE, attended the meeting along with a number of executive directors and heads of departments of Dubai Customs and representatives of French businesses.

“Meetings like these help us develop our economic relationships with friendly states. We are committed to facilitating French trade and investment activities in the best possible way in alignment with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to make Dubai the world’s leading global economic hub,” said Bin Sulayem.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih welcomed the French delegation and reaffirmed Dubai Customs’ commitment to develop cooperation with French diplomatic missions and businesses in line with the coherent and fruitful partnership between the UAE and France.

Musabih said, “Our trade sector saw considerable growth in Q1 this year despite many challenges posed by the global pandemic. Dubai’s non-oil external trade grew 10 percent to AED354.4 billion from AED323 billion in Q1 2020. Customs transactions skyrocketed 53.4 percent to 11.2 million in the first half of this year from 7.3 million in the corresponding period in 2020.”

Dubai saw a total trade of AED14.9 billion with France in 2020. In H1 2021, trade between the two sides touched AED8.5 billion. Top commodities included jewellery, perfumes, medical products, textiles and leather.

The French Ambassador thanked Dubai Customs for organising this meeting, which comes when the world is awaiting the start of Expo 2020 Dubai. He invited the participants to visit the French pavilion at the exhibition.

“The UAE has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in managing the COVID-19 crisis, proving its competence in adapting to changes and overcoming challenges. The UAE is our preferred choice for investment and trade. This is the message that I always convey to French officials. Dubai is the perfect link between the west and the east thanks to its strategic location and advanced infrastructure,” said Chatel.

Eman Badr Al Suwaidi, Director of Customs Valuation Department, who is in charge of the implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, said the AEO programme applies advanced procedures in compliance with the WTO requirements.

“The AEO programme will help member companies gain better access to world markets,” said Al Suwaidi. “Currently 85 companies have registered in the programme, and we have signed mutual recognition agreements with South Korea, China and Saudi Arabia so far.”

ALSO READ: Dubai Expo Unveils Rising Flavours Dining Hall

Dubai Customs delivered a presentation on its Cross Border e-Commerce platform during the meeting. The innovative platform, developed by Dubai Customs, utilises blockchain technology to integrate and automate operations between Customs, Free Zones, logistics, and courier companies. The first of its kind in the region, the initiative aims to help the emirate become a global hub for e-commerce, and encourage e-commerce companies set up their businesses in Dubai. Online trade in the UAE is estimated to reach US$27 billion in 2022, a growth of 23 percent.

Dubai Customs’ IPR Department also delivered a presentation on the Department’s role in raising awareness about the importance of intellectual property and how to protect it. The presentation outlined Dubai Customs’ efforts to resolve intellectual property disputes, registering trademarks and protecting the rights of global brands including famous French brands such as Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier.

Another presentation highlighted Dubai Customs’ facilities and incentives for exhibitors and visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai including a dedicated customs channel, online registration and submission of customs declarations, and waiver of registration fees.

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Arab News Dubai EXPO 2020

Dubai Expo Unveils Rising Flavours Dining Hall

Expo 2020 Dubai is serving up a new culinary experience for visitors, with the Rising Flavours Food Hall, inspired by the countries of the GCC…reports Asian Lite News

Expo 2020 Dubai is serving up a new culinary experience for visitors, with the Rising Flavours Food Hall, inspired by the countries of the GCC, shining a light on the region’s cultures and unique take on international cuisines.

The three-storey dining hall highlights the range and creativity of the Gulf region’s vibrant and ever-evolving food scene, and serves as a celebration of the incredible flavours and talent born or nurtured in the GCC.

EXPO

Conceived by industry figureheads from the region, the ground floor is home to a regularly rotating line-up of culinary pods, featuring chefs and restaurants that demonstrate the gastronomic variety of each GCC country, including concepts from the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

The cast includes celebrity chef Douha Abdullah Al Otaishan, Saudi Arabia’s first female executive chef; UAE-based pastry chef Carmen Rueda, known for her unique approach to creating pastries; Bahraini restaurateur Roaya Saleh, celebrated for Villa Mamas, one of Manama’s most recognised restaurants; Omani celebrity chef Nader Al Aisari; Qatar-based Lebanese chef Mohamad Najem; Kuwait’s Khaled Al Baker, creator of concepts Meem Café and Roto; Hattem Mattar, the Arab world’s first pitmaster; Emirati Musabbeh Al Kaabi, a Dubai celebrity judge known for his modern approach to Emirati cuisine; Turkish chef and concept creator Zulfikar Cambaz, chef de cuisine at BABA, Westin Mina Seyahi, a restaurant focused on Ottoman cuisine; Jhon Faver, chef de cuisine at El Sur, Spanish restaurant at Westin Mina Seyahi; and Jay Williams, winner of Hotelier Middle East Executive Chef of year 2020.

GALAL ABDELLATIF, DIRECTOR, FOOD AND BEVERAGE, EXPO 2020 DUBAI: “One of the best ways to discover a country is by sampling its cuisine, and at Expo 2020, visitors will be able to able to eat their way around the world without leaving the UAE. The GCC countries are presenting exciting and innovative concepts, allowing guests to taste what their countries have to offer and learn more about Middle Eastern cultures.”

ALSO READ: Expo 2020 Dubai Announces Enhanced Entry Measures

The first-floor restaurant is a licensed, full-service fine-dining restaurant that hosts a chef’s table and a theatrical cooking show. Diners can expect to savour dishes to savour dishes such as ahi tuna; red snapper tagine, zucchini and saffron risotto; oven baked filo pastry filled with beef, mushrooms and tomatoes served with yoghurt sauce, and shrimp and piquillo pepper croquettes and parsley aioli.

The hall’s walls serve as a space where GCC artists can showcase their artworks, while diners will be serenaded by live performances from regional talent, featuring traditional and modern sounds from the Gulf as well as guest DJ mixes.