“Expo Dubai will have a record number of the participating countries – a total of 194, Slovenia will be among them.”
Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek symbolically took over on behalf of Slovenia the management of the country’s pavilion at the Expo 2020 in Dubai as part of his official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, 25th of January 2021. The minister said at the ceremony on the following day that “Slovenia will show know-how, innovation and energy at the Expo”. Počivalšek also presented the volume of trade between Slovenia and the UAE. “In the first ten months of last year, we recorded a 5.6% growth in trade in goods to EUR 70.7 million, of which EUR 68.6 million was Slovenia’s exports.”
Expo Dubai will have a record number of the participating countries – a total of 194. Slovenia will be among them, with the pavilion placed in the sustainability venue. Slovenia’s pavilion, located in the part of the venue dedicated to sustainability, is built from wood, has green facade and is surrounded by water, expressing three main natural resources of Slovenia – wood, green environment and water.
The aim of Slovenia’s participation in Expo Dubai is to strengthen the presence in the markets of South Asian, African and Middle East countries. This is also key in light of post-Covid relief efforts. Slovenia’s pavilion will be one of the 83 separate venues, where Slovenian as well as European characteristics will be presented – the EU will not have its own pavilion this year.
Thanks to the EU Council Presidency in the second half of 2021 Slovenia is expected to be in the spotlight. Slovenia’s Expo 2020 commissioner general Matic Volk pinpointed that Slovenia’s pavilion is in the sustainability venue, right by the expo’s entrance. The structure itself boasts Slovenia’s natural resources – wood, greenery and water. The promotional slogan will be Green, Creative, Smart.
The 1,500 square metre pavilion itself, is a true green oasis, will certainly attract a lot of looks and attention.