Expo 2020 Dubai yesterday launched BusinessConnect, a series of workshops to take part the business community and discuss the opportunities existing to them as a result of hosting Expo 2020. This builds on a dialogue with national, regional and global corporates that initiated in April this year at an event outlining the vision for Expo that was attended by over 250 business leaders.

The inaugural BusinessConnect workshop was opened by Her Excellency Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State, Board Representative of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, and Director General of the Bureau Dubai Expo 2020.

Speaking at the well-attended event, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy said: Dubai and the UAE are already home for many hundreds of enterprises. Expo will provide opportunities for these businesses, and for many others of all sizes and from all nations, to work with us towards our objectives on opportunity, mobility and sustainability - themes of our Expo."

Her Excellency went on to add: Expo and its legacy will help inspire, promote, engage and encourage our youth. We want to use Expo's power to convene partners which can work with us to empower young people - the leaders of tomorrow - and in so doing continue to build a sustainable future for all.

Expo 2020 Dubai used the event to re-emphasise its commitment to open and transparent procurement. The Expos online esourcing portal is the entry point for any business wishing to work with Expo 2020 and will be the first place where opportunities are posted, as well as the sole means to respond to tenders