PAIH organises Poland’s participation in EXPO 2020

– Poland’s participation in EXPO exhibitions is in line with the assumptions of the Strategy for Responsible Development. Our presence in Dubai is a unique opportunity to present the potential of Poland and the Polish economy, and thus to take advantage of the yet undeveloped domestic demand of the Middle East markets by domestic entrepreneurs. Looking for a Polish answer to the main theme proposed by the organisers of the World Exhibition in 2020 we focus in particular on the issue of sustainable development. We want to show the world how Poland creates and promotes modern technologies, while striving to provide the whole society with a high quality of life – Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki says .

The first Expo in the MEASA region will be held from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021, and its organisers expect as many as 25 million guests. The slogan of the event, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, is explained in three sub-themes: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. It is estimated that 180 countries and organisations will be exhibiting on the 4 km2 of the exhibition, while traditional exhibitions will be accompanied by a series of additional events in the urban space.

– We are beginning preparations for the next international event, during which we will show the strength and potential of our economy. After Germany and Kazakhstan, it is time for the United Arab Emirates. The Middle East market is still a little-known world to our entrepreneurs, and we want Polish companies to courageously enter large markets. Participating in the Expo in Dubai will certainly help. On the one hand, it will be an excellent opportunity for our domestic companies to showcase their solutions, establish business relations and gain new partners. On the other hand, Polish entrepreneurs will have a unique opportunity to get to know the conditions and rules of more distant markets – Jadwiga Emilewicz, the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology, explains.

– The World Exhibition in Dubai will start in more than 2 years, but we are already starting intensive works on preparing Poland’s participation in this prestigious event. We want to consistently build the image of our country as an active participant of the EXPO, what has been appreciated many times during previous World Exhibitions in Shanghai, Milan or last year in Astana. We see our participation in EXPO Dubai 2020 as an opportunity for exceptionally intensive economic promotion for Polish companies and strengthening Poland’s cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, as well as with the entire Middle East region – Tomasz Pisula, General Commissioner of the Polish Section of EXPO 2020 in Dubai, emphasises.
 
Like the previous World Exhibitions, Poland treats its participation in EXPO in a multidimensional way. The national exhibition prepared in the area designated by the organisers will be accompanied by an economic programme activating Polish entrepreneurs before, during and after the exhibition. Poland’s participation in EXPO 2020 in Dubai, and in particular in the organisation of the National Day, will become the axis of political and diplomatic activities conducted in the region. Poland’s presence at the World Exhibition will also strengthen the programme of cultural and regional promotion. What is more, it is planned that outside the pavilion and the exhibition area, our participation in the EXPO will be emphasised by the organisation of various events in Dubai and the implementation of long-term communication activities.
In the coming months the Programme Concept will be developed and submitted for consideration by the Council of Ministers. The key undertaking planned for the 2018–2019 years will be the announcement of tenders and the selection of contractors, who will create the thematic and architectural concept of the Polish Pavilion, and then design, build and ensure the proper functioning of the exhibition. Information on the next stages of preparations for the World Exhibition EXPO 2020 will be made available by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.

EXPO 2020 – Return to the roots
EXPO 2020 in Dubai will be the first World Exhibition organised in an Arab country. The organisers emphasise the direct reference to the original assumptions of EXPO exhibitions, which have been the largest forum for the presentation of scientific achievements since 1851, allowing sharing knowledge and debate on global problems of the world. The message of EXPO Dubai 2020 is that the solution to the biggest global problems is beyond the reach of a single country or region, so it pays to work together, regardless of latitude, institutional barriers or cultural differences, to achieve success together.
The organisers of EXPO 2020 in Dubai emphasise that this is the first ever World Exhibition, which will have such a clear objective of integration and accessibility for all. Hence the desire to invite as many countries as possible (180), the concern to create equal conditions for presenting the achievements of all, including the poorer ones (the principle: one country – one pavilion), as well as the plan to attract the highest number of foreign visitors in the history of EXPO exhibitions (70%).

EXPO is open to the SME sector and start-ups
The organisers of EXPO 2020 in Dubai declare great openness to cooperation with companies from the SME sector in the implementation of the EXPO project. An interactive Internet platform was created for the purpose of establishing trade and economic cooperation between the B2B (Business to Business), B2C (Business to Customer) and B2G (Business to Government) sectors in the implementation of projects related to the creation of infrastructure and the operation of the Exhibition. With this undertaking, the organisers want to contribute to the internationalisation of SMEs by enabling them to participate in public procurement contracts related to the organisation of EXPO 2020. It is estimated that over 20% of the budget worth PLN 5 billion will be allocated for the execution of orders for companies from this sector registered on the platform.
The organisers also intend to support young companies through the EXPO Live grant programme. Thanks to it, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as start-ups, can submit applications for grants up to the amount of USD 100 thousand for the implementation of innovative solutions related to EXPO topics. During the Exhibition, the grantees will present themselves in a special exhibition pavilion.