As Dubai prepares to host the Gitex technology exhibition 2020, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has pledged that the UAE will emerge as the world's fastest country to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The UAE is looking forward to celebrating its 50th anniversary with a number of new big projects.

This week's Gitex technology exhibition in Dubai will prove to be a crucial moment for the trade and business environment of the UAE.

Speaking over the development, Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, asserted that Gitex is expected to be the most significant and realistic global technical event this year as the UAE will recover from the pandemic faster than other countries in the world. Emirati institutions have proven their capabilities to adapt to challenging circumstances, he added.

We will conclude 2020 with a global event and we will start 2021 with a series of projects and major initiatives. The UAE's 50th anniversary and golden jubilee next year will be different from all years," he announced.

Starting from Sunday, around 1200 companies from 60 countries will be displaying their latest technologies at the 40th Gitex technology exhibition.

The event is expected to see a participation of 200 leading technology investment companies and 350 speakers in the fields of smart cities, artificial intelligence, financial technology, the future of education, health and remote work,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

In the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic, Gitex 2020 is going to be one of the first major events in the emirate that will have physical attendance of the participants. It is going to take from December 6 to 9 at the World Trade Centre while adhering to all necessary COVID-19 precautionary safety measures.

As the UAE is gradually recovering from Coronavirus repercussions, Dubai has also resumed all business and trade activities like conferences and exhibitions in a phased manner.

Dubai held its first business conference in July, nearly four months after lockdown measures were imposed and events were cancelled or postponed in a bid to control the spread of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 infections in the UAE has surged to 175,276, while the total recovery rate has increased to 158,498.

With 83,146 additional tests, the UAE has carried out more than 17.3 million tests since the pandemic outbreak began in the country. The UAE authorities carried out mass screening strategy with the aim of limiting the spread of the virus.

On Saturday, all SEHA testing centres in Abu Dhabi reduced the price of PCR tests to Dh85 in a bid to encourage more people to get themselves tested for COVID-19.