Expo 2020 Dubai has signed AS World Group Ltd (DIFC) as an Authorised Ticket Reseller for The World’s Greatest Show taking place from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021.

Mr. Sanjive Khosla, Chief Commercial Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Mr. Sajid Barkat, Chief Executive Officer, AS World Group, signed an agreement to this effect at the Expo 2020 Dubai head office.

AS World Group is a diversified conglomerate – spanning from event management to strategic consulting and investments – acting as a gateway to Africa and is perfectly equipped to connect Expo 2020 Dubai with key audiences in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The company has over 15 years’ experience in supporting state protocol departments and chanceries in organising and managing all the logistics for official delegations during international conferences, bilateral or international summits, such as the UN General Assembly, UN Climate Change Conference, etc.

The new contract promotes Expo 2020 Dubai ticket packages in Africa and is poised to bring visitors from the continent to the largest event ever held in the Arab World, in what will be a major and unprecedented boost for trade and commerce between Africa and Dubai.

Mr. Sajid Barkat, Chief Executive Officer, AS World Group, said: “We are very proud and honoured to work with Expo 2020 Dubai as an Authorised Ticket Reseller because we believe that by ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ we can propagate the vision and message of Expo 2020 Dubai globally, with special focus on Africa and the Middle East. We will promote Expo 2020 Dubai with the most flexible packages adapted for all needs of African (and other) delegates”.

As the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Expo 2020 Dubai will have a record 192 countries participating in the 173-day long mega event under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

Mr. Sanjive Khosla, said: “AS World Group’s strong regional presence will help take Expo 2020’s message far and wide across Africa. The continent will play a key role at the first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. We are proud that every country will have its own pavilion for the first time in World Expo history, ensuring all nations, including those from Africa, have a platform to showcase their achievements, ambitions and cultures.

“Given Dubai’s strategic location at the crossroads between Africa and the rest of the world, we expect many visitors from the continent at The World’s Greatest Show of human brilliance and achievement,” Mr. Khosla added.

AS World Group will promote special packages and offers for government ministries, chambers of commerce, universities, private businesses, etc.

“As the continent’s general economic performance continues to improve and its 1.3 billion people living in 54 countries increasingly look to the Arabian Gulf in general, and Dubai in particular, for trade, commerce, tourism and education opportunities, Expo 2020 Dubai comes at the opportune time for the whole of Africa,” said Mr. Barkat.

With its head office in DIFC, the leading financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, and offices in Paris and Dakar, AS World Group specialises in international summits, business travel, events and tourism initiatives spanning Africa, Europe and the Middle East and has an enviable track record of working with governments and private organisations across three continents.

Commenting on the marketing strategy that AS World Group is putting into place for its Expo 2020 Dubai ticket sales programme, Mr. Barkat noted the company will primarily target West African countries, including Senegal, Mali, Guinea Conakry, Mauritania, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin and Niger, as well as Central African nations such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and other Francophone African countries through the many time-tested B2B and B2C channels that the company operates through, throughout West and Central Africa.

With extensive, world-class customer reach and engagement, AS World Group will leverage its substantial sales, service and logistics networks in Africa to promote its Expo 2020 Dubai ticket sales to as large an audience as possible, thereby assisting the latest World Expo to achieve its target of a total of 25 million visits during its 173-day period.

“As a true facilitator in Africa, AS World Group is on track to play a crucial role in bringing various countries together at Expo 2020 Dubai through mutual opportunities involving financial investment, technology, culture, arts, science, education and other fields of human endeavour,” concluded Mr. Barkat.