Pakistan is participating in the upcoming Expo 2020 to be hosted by Dubai from October 20, 2020 to April 2021 under the theme "connecting Minds, creating the future" and sub themes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability. Estimated visitors for the Expo are 25 million, 70 per cent of who are expected to be foreigners. 160 countries have confirmed participation and the numbers are expected to increase to 180 countries. Commerce Ministry believes that it is extremely important project for the Government of UAE on 4.38sq.kms are near the Jebel Ali Free Zone and DWC airport.
The sources said that the Prime Minister has designated Pakistan ambassador to UAE as Pakistan's Section Commissioner General and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan as the reasonable national authority to organise participation of Pakistan in the Expo 2020 Dubai as per requirements of the Expo authorities.
The steering committee chaired by the Minister for Commerce with representation of all the relevant Ministries/ Departments involved and provinces has been constituted with the approval of the Prime Minister, which regularly deliberates and takes decisions on ongoing Pakistani's participation in Expo 2020.
According to sources, Pakistan's ambassador to UAE signed the contract of participation in Expo 2020 Dubai on October 28, 2018 during the visit of Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood and his meeting with Minister for Trade and Economy of UAE, reserving a large sized plot of 3450 square meter for construction of Pakistan Pavilion which will be depicting theme of "Emerging Pakistan" as already approved by the Prime Minister.
The total cost to be incurred for Pakistan's participation in the Expo 2020 is estimated to be $ 27 million. However, the Prime Minister, in a meeting held on October 8, 2018 approved $ 5 million as supplementary grant and the rest is to be raised from alternative sources including sponsorship, Export Development Fund (EDF) etc.
The Commerce Division argues that as per the Prime Minister's directives, Minister for Finance Asad Umar must arrange provision of $ 5 million to the Ministry of Commerce. However, on November 6, 2018, Finance Division advised that approval of the Cabinet may be sought before approaching the Finance Division for the supplementary grant from the budget of 2018-19.
