Page 12 - Magazine October 2021

Local News
Expo 2020 Dubai:
411,768 ticketed visits recorded in
first 10 days
Expo 2020 Dubai has welcomed 411,768 ticketed people to reconnect with each other and to imagine a
visits in its first 10 days since the start of the first better future.”
World Expo being held in the Middle East, Africa and From his side, Joseph K Issa, Commissioner General
South Asia (Measa) region. of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste at Expo
Visitors belonged to 175 nationalities, with one in 2020 Dubai, said, “We’ve been really busy since the
three visitors came from abroad. A number of ticket show opened, with a constant flow of visitors every
options are open to visitors, with Multi-Day and day. People genuinely seem interested and inquisitive
Season passes proving popular. One in five visitors about what we have to offer and we are delighted to
have already visited the expo more than once, bring a flavour of Timor-Leste to visitors, businesses
according to statistics released by the organisers. and investors.”
In this context, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Meanwhile, Doreen DeBrum, Ambassador and
Minister of State for International Cooperation and Commissioner General of the Marshall Islands at
Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “The Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “This is the first time we’ve
numbers achieved in the first 10 days reflect the had our dedicated pavilion at a World Expo, and it
enthusiasm of the world to attend Expo 2020 Dubai. has been fantastic to share the best of the Marshall
We are very happy with this wonderful turnout. Islands with so many visitors. We’ve been delighted
“The coming days and weeks will be full of special with the reaction of people so far.”
events offering a visitor experience that will be The announced figures include all physical ticket-
purposeful and entertaining, and we look forward holders. They exclude representatives, delegations
to welcoming many more people from around the and guests of international participants, partners and
world.” other stakeholders, as well as Expo staff.
From his part, Dimitri S Kerkentzes, Secretary- Virtual Expo, virtualexpodubai.com, which launched
General of Bureau International des Expositions on September 30 with three million people watching
(BIE), said, “The numbers we are seeing are very the Opening Ceremony live, has seen a further five
encouraging and demonstrate the global desire for million visits between October 1 - 10 .
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Contractors News
Over 11,000 new residential units
coming up in UAE
The programme has till date delivered 35,455
housing units to beneficiaries
,
The UAE s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has of October of every year as World Habitat Day to
announced that 11,103 new residential units are being reflect on the state of habitats, and on the basic right
built under the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme of all to adequate shelter.
across the country. The Day is also intended to remind the world that all have
Since its launch in 1999, the Sheikh Zayed Housing the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our
Programme, which is managed by the infrastructure cities and towns. World Habitat Day was first celebrated
ministry, has issued over 74,504 housing support in 1986 with the theme “Shelter is My Right”. Nairobi was
resolutions, comprising loans and grants with a total the host city for the observance that year.
value of AED41 billion ($11.1 billion). The year 2020 saw the announcement of directives
The programme has till date delivered 35,455 housing to allocate land plots, housing loans and units, as well
units to beneficiaries. A total of 2,538 housing units as to exempt retired citizens and families of deceased
have been handed over to beneficiaries last year, persons from paying loans, with a total value of
while 2021 saw the delivery of 1,726 housing units in AED15.5 billion, benefitting 13,626 citizens.
Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah, stated the ministry This year too there had been an allocation of a AED 65
on World Habitat Day, which was celebrated under billion budget to provide Emiratis with housing over
the theme Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free the next two decades.
world yesterday (October 4). The priorities of Abu Dhabi’s leadership include
The United Nations had designated the first Monday providing adequate housing to citizens, he added.
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