The UAE's Expo 2020 bid is 'Strategic Partner' of GES-EVA

GES-EVA is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from December 11 to 12, 2012.

The GES-EVA Summit and Exhibition, which brings together international stakeholders from across the SME ecosystem, reiterates the UAE's commitment to fostering youth entrepreneurship, creating diversified employment opportunities and providing access to start-ups and established businesses to strong global partnerships that will help grow their business.

Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, and Member of the Higher Committee for hosting 2020 World Expo in Dubai, said: "GES-EVA aims to nurture youth entrepreneurial skills and further energise the SME sector, one of the key contributors to the Arab world's regional economies. To be attended by C-level business leaders, policy makers and experts from around the world, GES-EVA demonstrates the commitment of the UAE in driving global dialogue on key growth areas, especially to promote regional entrepreneurship. With the UAE's Expo 2020 bid coming on board as Strategic Partner, we will able to highlight Dubai's credentials as a Candidate City to a large cross-section of decision makers from around the world."

He added: "The UAE is bidding to host the World Expo 2020 in Dubai under the theme 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,' which also reflects the overall goal of GES-EVA in empowering the region's youth. Young people play an instrumental role in identifying innovative solutions that will help address global challenges. By creating opportunities for them to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills, GES-EVA is helping to create the future by facilitating international linkages with the region's youth."

GES-EVA puts the spotlight on the golden opportunity for growth presented by the SME sector, with its focus on encouraging youth entrepreneurship, fueling diversified employment opportunities and providing access for start-ups to markets and capitals across the region. The event will be attended by leading government, public and private sector entities and institutional investors, in addition to NGOs and academia. High-ranking policymakers from the MENA region, prominent global business leaders, international financiers and C-level procurement decision makers who have a strong role in the Pan-Arab economic ecosystem will take part in the summit and exhibition.