UAE pavilion makes a mark in Shanghai

The UAE ambassador to China Omar Ahmed Al Bitar opened the UAE pavilion at Expo Shanghai 2010 yesterday. The pavilion is organised and supervised by the National Media Council (NMC).

The opening ceremony was attended by Salim Saeed Al Ameri, Deputy Director-General of MNC and Commissioner-General of the UAE pavilion, Deputy Commissioner-General Abdullah Aidaroos and a number of senior officials.

After several years of planning and development, the UAE has an impressive national presence at the event. Occupying an area of 6,000 sq m in the heart of the Expo site, the spectacular UAE pavilion, designed by world-famous architectural team, Foster + Partners, will showcase the prosperity, harmony, culture and innovativeness of the UAE to the world.

The UAE pavilion is located in the eastern section of the expo site, south of the river and within easy reach of the Chinese pavilion on the opposite side of the main thoroughfare. The exhibition is housed within a glittering building whose design is a creative interpretation of sand dunes. "This is a great day for China, and a great day for the UAE," said the UAE's Ambassador to China Al Bitar. "The UAE is proud to bring a small part of our country to China in the shape of these elegant sand dunes. We are also very happy to welcome all our visitors to hear our story. It is one for which the theme of Expo 2010, "Better City Better Life" could hardly be more apt.

"The dunes that we have chosen to represent the UAE remind us where we have come from and their glittering undulations also celebrate what we have achieved and where we are heading."

The UAE's Commissioner General, Salem Al Ameri, thanked the ambassador for his words of encouragement and reiterated the UAE's excitement and anticipation of participating in such a large Expo event. "We have a great story to tell," he told the gathering,

"We look forward to welcoming you all, not just to the Pavilion, but also to our website, www.uaepavilion.com and to the Emirates."

The pavilion, he said, has has three main display booths, an information centre, a business centre and other facilities.

And the UAE's Dream Journey promotion is turning out to be one of the most attractive incentives that any of the pavilions at the event is offering. Prize draws will be held twice a week and each winning ticket will entitle two people to travel to the UAE from China, and to experience for themselves many of the highlights that are featured at the UAE pavilion exhibitions.

The competition will offer 100 winners the chance to travel to the UAE for a week-long dream journey.

This is one of the first times that a major tourism promotion has been undertaken for a nationwide itinerary in the UAE, taking in desert islands and wildlife reserves, remote desert resorts, city attractions and unique experiences such as visits to the world's tallest building. Ad hoc surveys indicate that Chinese people are already familiar with some of the country's iconic developments such as the Zayed Mosque; Yas Marina Circuit, Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa and Meydan Race Course.

The lucky winners will see all of these and more. Their itineraries include special visits, overnight stays and privileged access to many of the country's greatest attractions.

People may enter the draw online at www.uaepavilion.com, www.uaechina.cn.com or by completing entry forms at the UAE Pavilion itself.

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