The lasting benefits of working with Expo 2020 Dubai will be outlined at a gathering of more than 1,000 delegates from 110 countries at the World Chambers Congress in Australia this week.

The congress, which takes place in Sydney from 19th - 21st September and is attended by government and corporate leaders as well as heads of Chambers of Commerce, offers representatives from around the world the opportunity to connect or strengthen already existing business relations.

A team from Expo 2020 Dubai is attending the congress to highlight to both Australian and international businesses the opportunities offered by the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, MEASA, region, both in its build-up, during the Expo, and in its legacy.

Expo 2020 will be a gateway into new markets for all businesses, offering them the chance to develop relationships with more than 200 participants including nations, multilateral organisations, corporations and educational institutions, as well as millions of visitors, echoing Expo’s theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

During the congress, the Expo team, in collaboration with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will hold an informative session for delegates, organise side meetings with the business community and host an exhibition stand to engage attendees and promote awareness.

The session will outline the wide range of opportunities available to businesses within the Expo 2020 Dubai supply chain, such as those for small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, in Australia and around the world.

Manal AlBayat, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Integration, Expo 2020 Dubai, said, "We want companies of all sizes from Australia and around the world to recognise not only the opportunities available to them at Expo 2020 Dubai, but also to be aware of the important role they can play in supporting Expo to deliver a celebration of ingenuity that leaves a lasting legacy for years to come.

"Events like the World Chambers Congress are an important step in engaging key figures in the international business community and highlighting the opportunities available to them, as well as the long-term benefits they will offer."

Expo 2020 Dubai representatives will also give an overview of the Expo Live programme, which was publicly launched in January following a pilot phase last year.

Expo Live has an allocation of US$100 million (AED367 million) to support projects that offer creative solutions to pressing challenges that impact people’s lives or help preserve our world, or both. Winning projects receive a support grant, business guidance, promotion and acceleration of their creative solutions, and will have the opportunity to showcase their work at Expo 2020 Dubai.

They will also present the exciting District 2020 legacy plans, which will see the Expo site become a new urban experience that will accommodate the newest trends of modern living, blending work and recreation.

District 2020 will include 65,000 square metres of residential space and 135,000 square metres of commercial space in a location that will be home to world-class innovation, educational, cultural and entertainment facilities, as well as a conference and exhibition centre.

Australia has previously hosted an Expo, with the specialised World Expo 88 held in Brisbane in 1988, which had the theme of ‘Leisure in the Age of Technology’.

World Expo 88 was used to promote Brisbane and Queensland as a tourist destination, spurring a major re-development of its South Brisbane site. Many of the sculptures and buildings were retained and are still in use or on display today, a legacy that resonates with Expo’s own legacy plans.

More than 200 participants including nations, multilateral organisations, corporations and educational institutions are expected to take part in Expo 2020 Dubai, offering businesses, including SMEs, a unique global platform to win investment, forge agreements and promote international cooperation.

Expo 2020 Dubai is committed to integrating SMEs and tapping into their innovation and agility, with 20 percent of Expo’s budget dedicated to them, reinforcing the UAE’s plans to support long-term SME growth and stimulate economic diversification.

SMEs make a vital contribution to the Australian economy, contributing about one-third of total GDP, employing approximately 4.7 million people, and representing about 90 percent of all goods exporters and more than 60 percent of services exporters.

This year alone, a total of AED11.5 billion of Expo contracts will be awarded and SMEs will continue to be a priority. To date, these businesses have won a total of 1,028 contracts with Expo.

Expo 2020 Dubai will run from 20th October, 2020, to 10th April, 2021, and attract many millions of visitors from around the world, giving businesses the chance to promote themselves and their products to a multinational audience of millions.