· AED 10.8 billion of construction contracts so far awarded in 2017

· Opportunities for 2018 revealed at Expo Procurement Conference

· Expo 2020 investments form part of long term economic impact

Dubai – Expo 2020 Dubai has so far awarded AED 10.8 billion construction and AED 411 million non-construction contracts in 2017, it was announced during a dedicated Procurement Conference.  

Preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai are firmly on track, with the global destination exceeding its pledge of distributing AED 360m non-construction contracts in 2017.

It will reach its target of AED 11 billion construction contracts after the awarding of urban planning and event overlay packages due to be finalised early next year.

These packages will be among a number of other opportunities made available by Expo 2020 Dubai in 2018, as it moves into the next stage of its delivery, focused on operational expenditure. Other sectors that will offer procurement opportunities next year to companies of all sizes include design, logistics, health and safety, construction and construction materials.

The total number and value of these contracts will be announced in the coming months.

Details of these upcoming opportunities were announced during the Expo 2020 Dubai Procurement Conference last Tuesday in Dubai, where companies were updated on the progress made by Expo and had the chance to meet members of Expo’s Procurement team during the latest Meet the Buyer session.

Manal AlBayat, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Integration at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “This has been a significant year on the journey to Expo 2020 Dubai, and we are excited to continue our smooth progress into 2018, which will see us offer further opportunities to companies in the UAE and the wider region.

“Expo 2020 is committed to building a long-lasting and sustainable economic legacy not just for the UAE, but for the region, which is why events like the Procurement Conference are important to raise awareness of the opportunities for participation in Expo and to spread them as far as possible.”

Sam Achampong, Regional Head of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), who delivered a keynote presentation at the Procurement Conference, said: “The Expo 2020 Dubai Procurement team have a unique opportunity to create a benchmark and template for the procurement of large scale events going forward.

“I am impressed with the meticulous preparation and levels of innovative thinking applied to Expo 2020 so far, and the early engagement with suppliers is to be applauded.”

The one-day Procurement Conference also included a ceremony for the Expo 2020 Dubai Supplier of the Year Awards, which recognises companies that have gone above and beyond the expected level of service.

The five award winners were:

·         Highest Performing SME: Zabeel Printing Press

·         Highest Performing non-SME: Enova Facilities Management

·         Transformational Award: Engage ME

·         Innovation Award: Whoop

·         Expo 2020 Dubai Appreciation Award: Shoot The Moon

The Procurement Conference was attended by representatives of more than 300 companies, including small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), which form an important part of the delivery and economic legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai. To date, more than 50 percent of the contracts awarded by Expo 2020 Dubai have gone to SMEs.

By empowering and integrating SMEs into the Expo 2020 Dubai supply chain, Expo is ensuring that businesses of all sizes will reap the benefits.

Expo 2020 Dubai will run for six months from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 and is expected to attract 25 million visits, with 70 percent anticipated to come from outside the UAE.

Through its overall theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, Expo 2020 Dubai will be a platform to foster creativity, innovation and collaboration globally. It will be a celebration of ingenuity that gives people a glimpse into the future, guided by its three pillars: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.

The Procurement Conference is the latest Expo initiative to work with businesses before 2020 by facilitating networking through opening its supply chain, encouraging interaction, exchanging ideas, sharing expertise and enabling companies including SMEs to sell and deliver the best solutions.

Companies and individuals interested in finding out more about opportunities for participation in the tender process should register on the Expo 2020 Dubai e-Sourcing portal, which includes details of upcoming tender opportunities, as well as announcing contracts already awarded.

To find our more, sign up now at: https://esource.expo2020dubai.ae

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© Press Release 2017