Blackstone in talks to acquire Dubai-based VFS Global for $1bln..reports Asian Lite News
US-based alternative investment management company Blackstone is in advanced talks to acquire Dubai-headquartered VFS Global, the world’s largest visa outsourcing company, for $1-1.2 billion, India’s Economic Times website reported citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Blackstone
Founded in India, VFS Global is a spinoff of Swiss travel group Kuoni. It is 90 percent owned by Swedish private equity firm EQT and 10 percent by the Kuoni Foundation, Hugentobler Foundation and founder CEO Zubin Karkaria.
The due diligence process for the acquisition is complete and the legal documentation is expected in the coming weeks, the report said.
VFS began as a visa application services company for the US embassy in India in 2001. Since then, it has expanded to 143 countries across five continents.
The award-winning global Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan Dubai has reopened with a refreshed interior and a reimagined seasonal food and cocktail menu…reports Asian Lite News
After temporarily closing its doors this summer, the award-winning global Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan Dubai has reopened with a refreshed interior and a reimagined seasonal food and cocktail menu. Following Hakkasan’s relocation to Atlantis, The Palm in October 2018 as a pop-up, its wildly successful tenure over the past two years has ensured the restaurant a permanent home at the resort. With this in mind, over the summer of 2021, Hakkasan appointed Design Worldwide Partnership to spearhead an enhancement programme to elevate the guest experience and deliver a renewed look and feel to the popular restaurant.
Hakkasan Dubai reopens
The recent Hakkasan remodel features a stylish new lounge area, inviting guests to enjoy pre or post-dinner cocktails and signature bites in a more relaxed space. The intimate and elegant dining area has also been refreshed with a colour palette of dark blue and turquoise tones complemented by intricately carved wood screens and latticing to create a more ambient dining space.
Hakkasan’s lounge will also come to life each evening with the launch of the brands’ celebrated Hakkatini Nights. Taking place every evening from 10:30 pm in the lounge and bar, guests can enjoy after-dinner or late-night cocktails for just AED 98 per person including two beverages or AED 138 per person including two beverages and a small eat. Beverages include signature cocktails such as the Apple Ginger Martini and the Hibtini, as well as an extensive selection of wines, beers and spirits. The Small Eat menu features signature favourites, including the Wagyu Beef Puff, Salt and Pepper Squid and the Chilli Crab Taro Croquette.
Hakkasan Dubai reopens
In celebration of fresh and seasonal ingredients, Hakkasan’s menu continues to offer restaurant signatures as well as a selection of brand-new dishes featuring sustainably sourced produce. This includes the Spicy Organic Yellowtail, Assam Seafood Toban, Curry Sweet Potato, and a locally handpicked King Oyster Mushroom Salad – capturing the very best of the UAE’s organic, fresh and local ingredients. Additional new signature dishes include the Mala Wagyu Short Rib with pumpkin crisp and the Lychee Lobster with yuzu pearl – dishes which have been crafted exclusively for Hakkasan Dubai.
Hakkasan Dubai is also one of the first in the world to feature Love Stories, a new cocktail collection inspired, in part, by the cult Wong Kar-Wai film In the Mood for Love. The iconic film, set against the seductively glamorous backdrop of 1960s Hong Kong, is a story of love, intimacy, escapism, passion and longing. The new Love Stories collection at Hakkasan Dubai tells a similar story of love and desire through cocktails which capture and invigorate the senses, taking guests on a sensorial journey through taste, smell, touch and sight. Guests can savour the captivation of ‘The Far East’ with bold flavours of kaffir lime, pear, and plum sake, or experience the passion of ‘Mistress of Deception’ with a theatrical element at the start followed by sweet and tangy flavours of Aperol, passionfruit and Rose champagne.
The reimagined menu and refreshed space for Hakkasan Dubai is the first project for global hospitality company Tao Group Hospitality since taking over the Hakkasan brand in April 2021. Tao Group Hospitality now operates more than 60 entertainment dining and nightlife venues in over 20 markets across five continents and features a collection of widely recognized hospitality brands. These include Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Beauty & Essex, Avenue, Cathédrale and Koma brands, as well as Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Omnia, Ling Ling, Jewel and Casa Calavera brands, among many others.
Hakkasan Dubai will continue its transformative journey with a new Friday brunch concept due to launch in the coming weeks.
DEWA completes its Expo pavilion in Sustainability District
The pavilion highlights the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030…reports Asian Lite news
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has completed the construction of its pavilion in the Sustainability District of Expo 2020 Dubai, which aligns with development and innovation, as reflected in the exterior of its design, and features decorative ribbed façade that mimic onward moving portals consistent with the company’s progressive initiatives.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, has inspected the pavilion, which is characterised by a modern design that aligns with its role as the Official Sustainable Energy Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai and its efforts to reshape the concept of utilities to contribute to making Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world.
EXPO 2020
Al Tayer was accompanied by Abdullah Obaidullah, Executive Vice President of Water and Civil; Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development & Excellence; Marwan bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future; Mohammed Al Shamsi, Vice President of Civil Projects Engineering & Water Maintenance; and other DEWA officials.
He said that DEWA has allocated AED4.26 billion to supply the world-class event with electricity and water, as well as supporting its electricity and water infrastructure projects using the latest smart systems.
“We are confident that Expo 2020 Dubai will be an international platform that contributes to developing innovative solutions to the various challenges facing the world for a brighter future for generations to come,” he said.
Al Tayer noted that through its participation, DEWA aims to provide a unique experience for visitors and introduce them to the company’s efforts, which contribute to making Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world.
The pavilion features three key areas: The exhibition area, which includes eight projects; the backyard; and the Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) area.
The pavilion highlights the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030. Upon its completion, the solar park will reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
It also showcases the Green Hydrogen project, the first of its kind in the MENA to produce hydrogen using solar power. It was implemented in collaboration between DEWA, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Siemens Energy at the outdoor testing facilities of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
The pilot plant has been designed to accommodate future applications and test platforms of different uses for hydrogen for industry and transportation.
DEWA completes its Expo pavilion in Sustainability District
Digital DEWA, the company’s digital arm, aims to make DEWA the world’s first digital utility to use autonomous systems for renewable energy and storage while expanding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital services. Digital DEWA focuses on four pillars: Solar Energy, Energy Storage, AI, and digital services.
The 250MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta is the first of its kind in the GCC, with a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours and a life span of up to 80 years. The hydroelectric power station will use water in the Hatta Dam and an upper reservoir that is being built in the mountain. Advanced turbines that run on clean energy generated at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, will pump water from the dam to the upper reservoir. Turbines operated by the waterfall speed from the upper reservoir will be used to generate electricity and supply it to DEWA’s grid.
Visitors aged 18 and above will be required to present proof of any vaccine recognised by their national government or a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Amid renewed demand for international travel as Expo 2020 Dubai prepares to welcome millions of visitors to the largest global gathering since the start of the pandemic, organisers have announced enhanced entry measures to ensure a safe and exceptional event.
Visitors aged 18 and above will be required to present proof of any vaccine recognised by their national government or a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours. Non-vaccinated ticket-holders who have not been tested within this period can test at the PCR testing facility adjacent to the Expo 2020 Dubai site.
EXPO
Moving forward, a network of testing centres across the city will be available and can be found on the Expo 2020 Dubai website. On presentation of any valid Expo 2020 Dubai ticket, alongside an Expo 1-Day or Multi-Day Pass, the PCR test will be free of charge.
“The UAE continues to drive the global tourism recovery, and Expo 2020 Dubai will be the only global gathering of this size and cultural diversity since the start of COVID-19,” Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said.
“By updating our vaccination and testing requirements, we are opening up a world of discovery and education for every visitor from every corner of the planet, enabling the world to experience Expo 2020’s incredible offering in a safe and secure manner.”
She added: “As we prepare to welcome tourists to the UAE and visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai, we need to build on our successes in combating COVID 19, where we have seen a decline of nearly 84 percent in cases in the past eight months.”
“We will continue to follow the guidance of the leading science and medical experts, adjusting our measures as appropriate in our commitment to hosting an exceptional experience that all the world can enjoy. This enhanced measure is responsible, agile and necessary as we prepare to open our doors to the world,” she added.
The measures align with wider strategies across the UAE, including the strict COVID-19 measures and testing programmes operated by the UAE’s world-class airports and ports. As of September 2021, the UAE has administered almost 19 million vaccination doses and fully immunised 80 percent of its population.
Dubai has seen a steady influx of visitors since it reopened to tourists in July 2020, and the emirate welcomed 2.85 million visitors in the first half of 2021, with numbers predicted to accelerate in the fourth quarter, boosted by Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body of World Expos, said, “Dubai’s effective strategy to manage COVID-19 has allowed Expo 2020 Dubai preparations to progress smoothly, and the enhanced requirements announced by Expo 2020 Dubai organisers today strengthen the Expo’s goal of bringing everyone back together to join the making of a new world.”
“In the face of the pandemic, our collective resolve for solidarity has only been strengthened as the UAE and all international participants have persevered in their commitment to realising a safe and meaningful World Expo,” he added.
Expo’s robust plans include the mandatory vaccination of all Expo 2020 Dubai and International Participant staff, volunteers, contractors and service providers. On site sanitisation stations, mandatory face-masks both indoor and outdoor and two-metre social distancing will be maintained.
Running from 1st October 2021 until 31st March 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai will invite everyone to join the making of a new world as visitors reconnect through a six-month celebration of creativity, innovation, human progress and culture.
Successful participation by SAIF Zone in the Big Five Show
The Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority (SAIF Zone) concludes fruitful participation in the 42nd Big Five Show…reports Asian Lite News
The Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority (SAIF Zone) concluded fruitful participation in the 42nd Big Five, the Mena region’s largest building and construction show, which took place from September 12-15 at the Dubai World Trade Center.
The authority platform has managed to attract representatives of major economic events and those involved in the construction sector from various countries participating in the exhibition to learn more about the Zone’s logistical capabilities and integrated services system that meets the needs of the construction sector.
Successful participation by SAIF Zone in the Big Five Show
This includes advanced infrastructure, modern multi-purpose warehouses, and a variety of plots of land with an area of 2,500 square meters.
A considerable number of investors who visited the Zone’s stand were extremely impressed with the solutions the authority offers as a destination for construction companies and related industries in the region. They also showed their interest in the distinguished services it provides to the companies operating in it.
Fruitful participation
It was very successful participation for us in the Big Five, one of the largest building and construction events in the Middle East, said HE Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority, noting that the Authority platform attracted a considerable number of investors to learn about the competitive advantages offered by the Zone, which qualified it to be home for major international companies in the construction sector.
He added: “During the event, our team has conducted several meetings with many actors and specialists in this sector to examine the future of the real estate, building, and construction and pass the results to our investors.
Also, we get acquainted with the latest new projects and investment opportunities that the Zone must provide in the future and the services that have to be developed to cater to the needs of the professionals in this sector, he said.
Competitive Advantages
During its participation, the SAIF Zone showcased its various services to investors, which made it one of the most important free zones in the region.
It also highlighted its competitive advantages, including customs clearance, sophisticated infrastructure, state-of-the-art facilities with air-conditioned and furnished executive suites, pre-built warehouses in various sizes with adjacent office space, and lease lands for unrestricted private development.
Other incentives include 100% foreign ownership of businesses, 100 % repatriation of capital and profits, and 100 percent corporate or personal income tax exemptions, 100% import and export tax exemptions. This is in addition to 24-hour services, all licenses issued within one hour, and a hotline that guarantees the availability of immediate manpower, equipment, shipment and customs clearance, 24/7 security and emergency services, and labor accommodation within the zone.
Abu Dhabi Chamber Chief appreciates UAE advancing towards a prosperous future in various sectors…reports Asian Lite News
Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has said the UAE is steadily advancing towards a prosperous future in various sectors, most notably the economic sectors, in line with its leading international stature, through launching major projects for the next 50 years.
In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Mheiri stressed the UAE’s hosting of the Expo 2020 Dubai on 1st October, 2021, will showcase many investment opportunities to the owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and entrepreneurs in the country.
Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The UAE’s adoption of necessary preventive measures is the leading and direct reason for its success in maintaining public health and driving the national economy, enabling it to overcome the repercussions of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and return to normalcy, he added.
Al Mheiri affirmed the Expo 2020 Dubai is an opportunity to connect minds and shape the future amidst widespread global participation, noting it will be an ideal platform for exchanging views, discussing cooperation opportunities and exploring recent innovations.
The event will also provide opportunities for SMEs and entrepreneurs from all sectors, as well as facilitate direct interactions between companies, the private sector and investors, he further added, noting the significant economic gains from the event will be reflected by the strength of the Emirati economy and will help boost its global stature and gain the trust of investors in the country’s investment environment.
The UAE has proven to be an inspiring model of readiness and proactiveness for the world countries in terms of addressing the pandemic, which helped it attract foreign direct investment and support many vital sectors, including tourism, real estate and aviation, as well as encourage talents to move to the country and support its digital economy, in general.
The chamber plans to hold several direct meetings with investors and entrepreneurs from around the world to be their link to companies in Abu Dhabi, and it will have a permanent office at the expo that will provide information about the investment environment and available opportunities in the emirate, Al Mheiri said in conclusion.
European Commission approves UAE camel milk for continued export to EU countries in 2021…reports Asian Lite News
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) has announced that the European Commission has approved the UAE’s Camel Milk Residue Monitoring Plan and continues to allow the export of UAE camel milk to the 27 EU countries for 2021.
SAIF AL SHARA, ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY, SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES SECTOR AND ACTING ASSISTANT UNDER SECRETARY, FOOD DIVERSITY SECTOR, M0CCAE: “Enabling food products to compete in local and international markets is a priority that we aim to achieve in collaboration with our strategic partners from the public and private sectors. In this context, the Ministry has issued effective legislation and continues to roll out control processes to ensure our food products meet the latest international safety standards. We liaise with our counterparts in every target market to understand their import and health requirements, and develop plans to guarantee compliance of our food products.”
Saif Al Shara
He added, “With 4,500 tons produced annually, camel milk and its products are among the UAE’s signature foods. They are in high demand locally, and owing to Al Ain Farms and Emirates Industry for Camel Milk and Products (EICMP) – the manufacturer of the popular camel milk brand Camelicious, they are making inroads into regional and global markets. This requires continuous follow-up with the concerned authorities, such as the European Commission, to keep up to date with the import requirements and help local producers meet them.”
During Q1 2021, MoCCAE worked closely with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Dubai Municipality, Al Ain Farms, and EICMP to secure the approval of the European Commission for the UAE’s Camel Milk Residue Monitoring Plan. This included overseeing the two manufacturers’ compliance with the import requirements and submitting annual reports of residue percentages to the Commission.
To reflect the updates in the export regulations in 2020, MoCCAE issued the Ministerial Decision No. 106 of 2020 regarding the fulfillment of EU requirements by the facilities exporting camel milk and its products.
The commitment of Al Ain Farms and EICMP to enacting action plans and complying with relevant legislation has helped camel milk enter new markets. Notably, the two manufacturers were approved for export to the US and Canada.
Currently, MoCCAE, along with food control authorities and the two manufacturers, is liaising with Chinese authorities to obtain their approval for exporting UAE camel milk and its products to China.
Emirates NBD Group, Expo 2020 Dubai and Mastercard introduce exclusive card programmes to power Expo experience
The limited-edition cards are designed to enhance the Expo 2020 Dubai experience for both residents and visitors from across the globe…reports Asian Lite News
As a Premier Partner and the Official Banking Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Emirates NBD Group, a leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Turkey) region, has joined hands with Mastercard, the Official Payment Technology Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, to create two exclusive new card programmes: Emirates NBD Expo Mastercard Prepaid Card and the Emirates Islamic Expo Mastercard Credit Card.
Emirates NBD Group, Expo 2020 Dubai and Mastercard introduce exclusive card programmes to power Expo experience
The limited-edition cards are designed to enhance the Expo 2020 Dubai experience for both residents and visitors from across the globe, while also elevating their time spent in the UAE with memorable and Priceless possibilities to discover year-round. Both cards are underpinned by Mastercard’s secure technology and will be equipped with contactless capabilities for touch-free and seamless transactions.
Emirates NBD Expo Mastercard Prepaid Card
The Emirates NBD Expo Mastercard Prepaid Card is a digital-first offering, issued via a dedicated mobile App, Joyn from Emirates NBD. The product is available to both UAE residents and international visitors for use while in the UAE and provides a fully digital payments experience. The benefits will merge a specially curated selection of offers from Emirates NBD’s Bon Appétit, LiveWell and Good Times programmes, as well as offers from Mastercard’s Priceless Platform, creating a rewarding experience that opens opportunities across the UAE like no other.
With 25 million visits expected at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Emirates NBD Expo Mastercard Prepaid Card will power Expo and the wider UAE experience for tourists and residents, providing access to privileges, deals and discounts of up to 50% at more than 2,000 shopping, dining, wellness, and entertainment touchpoints, as well as access to exclusive Expo-related offers. The reloadable card will provide an enhanced customer experience with personalized offers, while also enabling international visitors to spend in the local UAE Dirham currency.
Cardholders will be able to use the cards to make online purchases as well as contactless in-store payments by adding their card to their preferred digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay). Customers will also have the option to receive a linked physical card if needed.
Suvo Sarkar, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Emirates NBD, said: “As a Premier Partner and the Official Banking Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Emirates NBD is delighted to partner with Mastercard to amplify the Expo experience for millions of visitors. With our position as the country’s preferred bank and frontrunner in the region’s banking sector, the breadth and scale of our partnerships with merchants in the UAE is unparalleled and provides tremendous value to cardholders, especially for international visitors to the UAE during Expo 2020 Dubai. In addition to delivering a fast, intuitive, reliable and seamless payment process, the Emirates NBD Expo Mastercard Prepaid Card empowers cardholders to try new and exciting offerings, making it a quintessential card to enjoy all this first-of-its-kind event in our region has to offer.”
Emirates Islamic Expo Mastercard Credit Card
As the Official Islamic Banking Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Emirates Islamic, part of the Emirates NBD Group, along with Mastercard and Expo 2020 Dubai, have unveiled an exclusive, limited-edition free-for-life co-branded Mastercard World Credit Card, that rewards UAE residents with exclusive privileges during the iconic event.
The Emirates Islamic Expo Mastercard Credit Card offers exceptional value with a wide range of benefits across key Expo partners. Cardholders can earn up to three Emirates Islamic SmartMiles for every AED 1 spent* as well as gain U By Emaar Gold Tier Status, 50% cashback on their first Expo 2020 Dubai ticket transaction, and access to exclusive travel, hotels and lifestyle privileges offered by Mastercard. Other benefits include 10% cashback on fuel, complimentary valet parking service at the Expo 2020 Dubai site, complimentary golf sessions, exclusive dining offers, and access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. Customers can enjoy the flexibility to instantly redeem their Emirates Islamic SmartMiles for flights, hotels, and retail transactions anywhere in the world. Emirates Islamic SmartMiles can also be exchanged with multiple partner loyalty programmes.
Additionally, to celebrate this exclusive launch, customers can earn AED 200/- statement credit* and up to 5,500* Upoints as a welcome bonus, when they apply for the card. Members will be able to add their credit cards to mobile wallets, enabling secure payments on the go.
Wasim Saifi, Deputy CEO – Consumer Banking and Wealth Management, Emirates Islamic, said: “As the official Islamic Banking Partner for Expo 2020 Dubai, we are proud to offer UAE residents a limited-edition Expo 2020 Credit Card that not only brings them exceptional value but also pays tribute to this exciting and memorable event in our nation’s history. At Emirates Islamic, we have always innovated to offer genuine value to our customers. We are delighted to deliver a truly unique credit card that helps our customers make the most of this first-of-its-kind experience in our region that will unfold a new world of possibilities for many years to come.”
KHALID ELGIBALI, DIVISION PRESIDENT, MENA, MASTERCARD: “The world’s biggest cultural gathering calls for world-class payment solutions for Expo 2020 Dubai guests and enthusiasts. We are delighted to collaborate with Emirates NBD and Emirates Islamic to bring to consumers from across the globe innovative offerings and connect cardholders to priceless experiences. As the Official Payment Technology Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Mastercard is committed to harnessing the power of technology as we join Expo 2020 Dubai and its partners in the making of a new world.”
Mukhtar Safi, Deputy CEO & CFO at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Our global celebration is all about innovation, collaboration and inspiration, so we are delighted that through our partnerships with Emirates NBD Group and Mastercard, more Expo 2020 visitors will be encouraged to try new and exciting curated offerings – seamlessly.”
Magical mascot shows, featuring siblings Rashid and Latifa, will welcome families to join in singalongs, dance-offs and theatrical productions that share a special message of uniting to overcome adversity, and the role that each of us can play in making that possible, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Expo 2020 Dubai will open up a whole new, immersive world for families – a magical place that merges the fantasy of a vivid imagination with the reality of a world that needs everyone’s help, where children will encounter breakthrough new discoveries, explore the world’s ecosystems and learn important lessons about our planet and humanity.
Expo 2020
Magical mascot shows, featuring siblings Rashid and Latifa, will welcome families to join in singalongs, dance-offs and theatrical productions that share a special message of uniting to overcome adversity, and the role that each of us can play in making that possible.
Rashid’s Playground in Jubilee Park is an ocean-themed adventure inspired by Rashid’s imagination and underwater exploits. Highlights include sharks on springs, whale slides, ocean liners and an interactive 3D maze modelled on one of UAE’s local waters’ most surprising inhabitants: the humpback whale.
For more green space, families can head to Al Forsan Park’s huge lawn. With its interlaced network of paths, the park offers a rich mosaic of opportunities for cultural interaction and recreation, including Latifa’s Adventures in Space City, where kids can bounce over nets in the ‘zero-gravity’ chamber, leap into orbit around swings and hop aboard a replica of the UAE’s Hope Probe.
“Expo 2020 is a captivating place for families to connect while discovering new cultures, technologies and life-changing innovations,” Marjan Faraidooni, Chief Experience Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said. “With inspirational exploratory exhibits where children will want to explore, play is encouraged, with learning becoming a product of their experiences.”
“Expo will open up a world of exciting, entertaining and educational experiences to millions of children, and is great value too, with children under 18 entering free of charge,” Faraidooni added.
Hop aboard the Expo Explorer, a train with a difference that takes passengers on a sight-seeing journey while experiencing the sustainable future of transport. The Explorer may look like a classic locomotive, but it runs on compressed air, making it pollution-free.
The 191 Country Pavilions with a family-friendly focus, such as the Luxembourg Pavilion, which sports a 21-metre-tall slide to whisk visitors down into a green, woody space that evokes the country’s beautiful forests.
At the Ethiopia Pavilion, one can try a hand at the traditional board and playground games, and see folktales brought to life in the Guinea Pavilion. Visitors can experience an innovative playground that converts kids’ kinetic energy into light at the Bulgaria Pavilion, fostering imagination and creative play, and drop by the Tonga Pavilion, where Lafi and his best friend Kaho the whale chaperone visitors through an incredible enchanted forest.
Kids of all ages will love Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, a playful experience that brings to life the UAE and Expo 2020’s commitment to sustainability, acting as a catalyst for change.
Taking visitors through the wonders of the natural world, Terra is designed to change mindsets and encourage people to break the cycle of consumerism and will live on as a Science Centre after Expo closes its doors, inspiring sustainable choices for generations to come.
The exhibitions will highlight Japan’s landscape and the challenges the world faces now…reports Asian Lite News
The Pavilion of Japan at the Expo 2020 Dubai is set to use digital technology to give people from around the world a virtual tour of the exhibit.
The pavilion will convey the attractiveness of Japan to visitors from all over the world by allowing them to experience the country’s history and technology, Kyodo News of Japan quoted the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as saying, as Japan hopes to boost excitement for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka.
Japan’s Expo Pavilion to be seen remotely via digital tech
In addition to opening two special websites to serve as a “Virtual Japan Pavilion,” the country will allow people to use remotely controlled avatar robots to participate in some events at the pavilion.
Those events will be held for a limited number of participants for a limited period of time.
Under the theme of “Where Ideas Meet,” the Japan Pavilion will use the latest visual and spatial presentations, including moving images and ultrafine mist, to let visitors experience how diverse encounters spark new ideas and lead the world to a better tomorrow, according to the ministry.
The exhibitions will highlight Japan’s landscape and the challenges the world faces now. Miniature models representing the country and an area introducing the 2025 Expo in the Kansai region will also be set up.
Conveyor belt sushi chain Sushiro will open a restaurant at the Dubai Expo, to be held in the United Arab Emirates city through the end of March next year, and serve halal dishes prepared according to Islamic law, the ministry said.
“We want to make this event a great success by conveying the charms of Japan as much as possible, and increase momentum toward the Osaka Expo,” Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said at an event held on 1st September.
The Dubai Expo will open 1st October and run through 31st March. Its theme is “Connecting Minds and Creating the Future” through sustainability, mobility and opportunity.
