Dubai Expo 2020 – An Incredible Experience

It was after a gap of 19 months, I resumed my international travel.?Obviously, I was looking forward to it with a mix of anxiety and excitement. And, it eventually turned out to be quite in-line with the anticipation. On one hand, there were strict travel protocols such as five COVID-19 tests in a span of four days, self-declarations, and the usual caution. On the other, the euphoria of witnessing one of the biggest events in the world - #DubaiExpo2020 and meeting distinguished leaders from the industry and the government in-person.

But, before I share my experience – a word of caution to all who those are planning an overseas trip.?Please understand all the travel protocols properly, of both your country and the destination. It is highly advisable to spare extra time (than usual) and be present at the airport as the procedures may take longer. And, this I speak from experience, as I had to wait through long queues and confirmations before I could finally board the flight.?

On the brighter side, Dubai’s warm weather and it’s hospitality presented the perfect backdrop for the Expo and to the world. The spectacular infrastructure bespoke of years of planning and execution, both for UAE and the participating countries. It was a grand affair to see the world in one place - with multiple countries, their culture, heritage, legacy, technology, policies and more. The sheer size of the Expo was so massive that it will require days for an individual to visit and absorb the quantum of information available. On the first day of the Expo, the momentum was building up with many countries and sponsors opening their pavilions. The fact that the Japanese pavilion is just next to the Indian pavilion was another reason for me to look forward to. #PanasonicCorporation with its Japanese origin happened to be the one of the sponsors of the Japan Pavilion. India and Japan being natural allies, the two pavilions being next to each other, will surely amplify the camaraderie.

FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) was entrusted with the responsibility to manage the planning and execution. Here, I must say with the consistent strategic direction coming in from the government, the management of FICCI did a splendid job. India was one of the countries who decided to build a permanent infrastructure. With the core theme of Openness, Opportunity and Growth - the idea was to showcase India’s capabilities and opportunities to the world. This along with a unique combination of India’s rich history, heritage, and the modern day strengths which sets itself apart from many, across the world. Across different floors of the building one can witness - the soft power on display, interactive counters demonstrating policies and opportunities. It also had enough space for people to network and hold large events and conferences. It is a perfect platform for the Indian industry to take their delegation of business partners to witness everything at one go and at the same time, showcase themselves to the world.

The coming together of delegation from the government and the industry is a true reflection of collaborative spirit. The collective efforts have been into effect for years wrt planning, execution and now utilization of the symbolic efforts.

While my trip was short but, it definitely was another learning experience. I return back to the country with a hope that these efforts will go a long way for us; to position our country in a manner that it truly deserves to be.