AR
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Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, underlined that the UAE values leadership while affirming the prominent role played by Expo 2020 Dubai in boosting recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerating growth and development of key economic sectors.
In an exclusive interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Zeyoudi explained the recent accomplishments achieved by the UAE which are helping the country steadily progress toward the post-pandemic recovery. These efforts are undertaken with the support and directives of the UAE's leadership.
"We witnessed the importance of Expo 2020 Dubai, based on the values of dialogue and partnership and connecting minds and cultures, and positively impacted the UAE’s global stature, especially in the areas of the economy, development and prosperity," he noted.
The global event achieved various milestones, for instance in terms of the total number of visitors amounting to 24 million, and distinguished outcomes by progressing the recovery of all sectors.
Al Zeyoudi also pointed out that Expo 2020 Dubai served as a crucial opportunity for government institutions, private sector companies and academia to raise future agendas as well as benefit from the momentum the event created to collaborate with various sustainable stakeholders.
He further highlighted the UAE's plans to keep the site of Expo 2020 Dubai and turn it into the city of the future. It is one of the many initiatives undertaken by the UAE leadership to help the community benefit from the facilities of the international event. The Expo 2020 Dubai addressed several issues of common interest including climate change, education, health, food and cultural openness.
The foreign trade sector also benefitted exponentially from the success of Expo 2020 Dubai which is a major achievement for the UAE as well. The event has strengthened the UAE's stature as a preferred business destination, instituted potential partnerships with other countries and opened key sectors to international markets.
In 2021, the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade stood at AED1.9 trillion, with a growth of 27 percent compared to 2020. Furthermore, non-oil exports have increased by 33 percent, surpassing a value of AED354 billion for the first time in the UAE's history, he concluded.
SOURCE: WAM