DUBAI, 18th April, 2017 (WAM) -- Bahraini companies have learned of the unique opportunities to grow their business in the lead-up to, during and after Expo 2020 Dubai, the first World Expo to be staged in the Arab world and the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, MEASA, region.

Building on the UAEs close ties with Bahrain, a team from Expo 2020 Dubai visited the country as part of its wider GCC Roadshow, designed to encourage business engagement and growth across the region and highlight the lasting benefits of working with Expo 2020.

The Expo 2020 Dubai team met with key entities including Bahrains Authority for Culture and Antiquities, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bahrain Economic Development Board and Tamkeen, as well as engaging in dialogue with major industry figures and the wider business community.

The Expo 2020 Dubai team presented to members of Bahrains business community at an event hosted by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, including representatives from the industrial, manufacturing, retail, financial services, media, government, and real estate sectors, highlighting specific opportunities for integration into the Expo 2020 supply chain.

Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and Commissioner General of the Bahrain Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, said, "These meetings are instrumental in raising awareness among the various sectors about the commercial, economic and cultural opportunities for this international celebration.""I commend the organisers of Expo 2020 Dubai for their high level of preparations to ensure the success of this international congregation in the GCC region. I also note the role of the GCC nations, and the UAE in particular, in promoting the Arab and Gulf culture and the values of openness, coexistence and respect for the differences that distinguish our countries."The roadshow team also spoke to the wider business community, including small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, at a workshop organised by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry to outline Expos transparent and inclusive procurement process. SMEs are a key driver of Bahrains economy, contributing approximately 30 percent of the countrys GDP in 2015. Expo 2020 Dubai is committed to integrating SMEs and tapping into their innovation and agility, with 20 percent of Expos budget, equating to more than AED5 billion, to be spent with SMEs.

Zayed Bin Rashid Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, of the Kingdom of Bahrain, said, "Expo 2020 Dubai is an exceptional event in an exceptional country. In Bahrain, we always seek to share with our GCC brothers the cultural and future image of the Kingdom, which our government looks to draw through the Bahrain Vision 2030. Participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is a qualitative leap and an experience which the Bahraini business community should take advantage of."Manal AlBayat, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Integration at Expo 2020 Dubai, said, "Bahrains thriving business community has an important role to play in supporting Expo 2020 Dubai, and we want to ensure that companies are aware of the opportunities that exist and the mechanism of how they can be involved in helping us deliver a remarkable World Expo, which leaves a meaningful legacy for generations."Through its GCC Roadshow, which successfully launched in Oman in March 2017, Expo 2020 Dubai is visiting countries across the region, including Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the coming months.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.