Nikola Lehner describes the exhibition as a global and exceptional event

Italy: "Expo Dubai" is an opportunity to communicate with the world in the language of beauty

• The pavilion connects the public with arts, beauty, knowledge and creativity.

  From the source

• Nicholas Lehner: "The strength of our commercial relationship with the UAE paves the way for broader cooperation ... and our participation in (Expo Dubai) is important."

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The Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the UAE, Nicola Lehner, stressed the importance of Italy's participation in the "Expo 2020 Dubai" activities, which is the first global gathering after the epidemic, adding, "We seized this opportunity to show our country to the world using the language of the Italian pavilion, which tells about beauty, technologies and communication between peoples. A balance between tradition and the future.

He explained, "The pavilion was a challenge in terms of creativity and the strength of the activities it hosted, which attracted visitors to discover what our country had to offer during this global and exceptional event, in addition to hundreds of Italian companies that contributed to organizing events of various themes and rich programs that showed us a developed and distant country." An ancient civilization.

The Italian ambassador added to "Emirates Today": "The UAE is a long-term partner of our country, and with regard to economic relations, the UAE is the second largest market for our exports in the Middle East, and in recent years, bilateral trade exchange has continuously exceeded the five billion euro barrier, even in In 2020, during the most difficult period of the pandemic, the value of trade exchange exceeded eight billion euros between the two countries.

growing cooperation

Lehner stated that the volume of trade exchange between the UAE and his country during 2021, until October, amounted to 5.6 billion euros, according to the latest available data, pointing out that 600 Italian companies are here in the UAE market, and enjoy a solid reputation and high quality, including the sectors of consumer goods and agricultural food to fashion. And design and cars, especially luxury ones, noting the growing cooperation in the field of energy and infrastructure, as well as the areas of technologies related to the circular economy, space, smart cities, health and medicine.

Lehner stated that Italy is the third largest economy in the Eurozone, and the eighth in the world and plays an important role as a gateway to the European single market (with more than 500 million consumers), North Africa and the Middle East.

"Investing in Italy provides access to the latest knowledge and technologies in many key sectors to the most innovative. Research and development are an essential part of our industrial operations and are strongly sustainable on both private and public levels," he said.

recovery program

The Italian ambassador continued: “We launched the National Recovery Program, a long-term plan of reforms funded by the European Union according to a strategy that includes a complete change of the scenario, from a short-term approach to a long-term vision with the aim of strengthening the national competitive environment and administrative efficiency.

I am proud to confirm that 27% of the National Recovery Program is dedicated to digitization and innovation operations in favor of environmental transformation and infrastructure for sustainable mobility, education and research, inclusion, cohesion, and health, and we see that the same priorities are on the agenda of the UAE government, which gives us the opportunity to develop many projects related to interest and mutual benefit between the two countries.”

Lehner highlighted "Italy Simply Exceptional", a nine-month global campaign to support "Made in Italy", promote its products and industries abroad, and attract investment and tourism.

A friend of the environment

And the Italian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai was designed based on environmentally friendly materials, as it connects the public with arts, beauty, knowledge and creativity, while at the same time reflecting the rich Italian civilization and the great technological development that Rome is witnessing in various fields.

The pavilion occupies an area of ​​3,500 square meters with a height of 25 meters, in the form of three inverted ship hulls covering the roof of the building, erected on tall pillars, each carrying one of the three colors of the Italian flag, green, white and red, and looks like a flower with three open petals.

In its exterior, the design aims to celebrate the Italian explorers, who for centuries roamed distant seas and unknown lands, while inside, the design tells a tale about the beauty of Italy.

• 600 Italian companies operating in the UAE... and 8 billion euros in trade exchange between the two countries in 2020.

• 3,500 square meters, the area of ​​​​the Italian Pavilion, with a height of 25 meters.

intercultural dialogue

The Italian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, with the participation of 70 institutional partners, 50 business sponsors, 15 regions and 30 universities, is promoting a program of multi-thematic forums and discussions to analyze the most recurring challenges of humanity, to provide the necessary solutions capable of generating growth, innovation and international cooperation, In addition to addressing the major issues of climate, space and urban development, promoting intercultural dialogue and the challenges of innovation and digitalization in the healthcare sector, agriculture and the blue economy.