The World Expo is a prestigious celebration of global innovation, trade, products and cultures from around the world and in 2020, the honour of hosting the six-month fair is being bestowed upon Dubai, the first city in the MENA region to do so.

Despite competition from Izmir in Turkey, Ekaterinburg in Russia and Sao Paulo in Brazil, Dubai won the right to host the World Expo based on votes from the 167 member states that make up the Bureau International des Expositions, the body which oversees the selection of a host country.

Dubai is the point at which East meets West and with its unique combination of city and desert, a pleasing climate, astounding architecture, shopping, recreation and dining facilities, Dubai has already garnered a reputation for wealth, sophistication, innovation and a high quality of life.

In the latest Quality of Living Report conducted by Mercer, the city ranked highest in the MENA region in recognition of its attractive remuneration packages, tax-free salaries and ‘sociocultural variety.’

Dubai’s grand-scale Masterplan for hosting the Expo looks set to capitalise on that reputation and promote further growth.

The 438 hectare site has been carefully planned around a theme of global cohesion under the banner of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, which places emphasis on three keys areas; Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity for all.

Its futuristic design caters for the modern world while complementing the traditions of Emirati culture so that it harmoniously “reflects the wonderful qualities of Dubai and the form and spirit of a World Expo.”

For the first time in Expo history, the Dubai Expo intends to unite some 250 participants and “generate dialogue” among the attending “governments, private sector and institutional players” with its “one-country, one pavilion policy.”

Preparations are already underway to make the city ready to receive the 25 million visitors who are expected to attend from around the world. A substantial investment of £5.2bn has been committed to financing the event, £4bn of which is being dedicated to improving the city’s infrastructure.

It’s anticipated that the event will create 277,000 new jobs which is good news, not only for the region’s citizens but for the international community as a whole. Workers skilled in construction, engineering, hospitality, project management and marketing among many others will be required.

In addition to its commerce, tourism is one of the biggest contributors to the Dubai economy with millions of tourists visiting the city each year.

Officials estimate that the event will attract not only visitors, but investment and trade to significantly boost the economy by £14bn with a growth of two points being added to the national GDP.

After showcasing its qualities on the world stage at the Expo, Dubai and the surrounding regions can expect to enjoy the incalculable furthering of its reputation as an attractive, exciting city to live, relax and do business in.

For more information on employment opportunities or to source high-calibre candidates for your business, contact the region’s experienced recruitment specialists at Mackenzie Jones.