Expo 2020 rivals sweat on host decision By Martine Nouaille (AFP) – 2 hours ago Paris — Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Brazil Wednesday made high-stakes presentations in Paris in the hope of winning the right to host the 2020 World Expo. The four nations pulled out all the stops in the 20 minutes allowed to each contender aiming to clinch an extravaganza that attracts tourism and business. The United Arab Emirates kicked off the process by pitching Dubai, followed by Brazil, Russia and Turkey. The 168 member states of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), which oversees the organisation of these large-scale events, were then to vote electronically for their favourite with the result due to be announced in the evening. Brazil, which is already gearing up to welcome the World Cup next year and the Olympic Games in 2016, has put forward its most populous city Sao Paulo as a candidate. As well as Dubai, it is competing with the historic Turkish city of Izmir and Ekaterinburg in Russias Ural mountains region. The World Expo, a modern-day successor to the Great Exhibitions of the 19th and early 20th centuries, showcases technology, architecture and culture and is held every five years. Shanghai was the last host city and Milan is next in line in 2015. If Dubai -- home to the worlds tallest tower, largest man-made island and one of the worlds busiest airports -- is selected, it will be a first for an Arab country. Dubai, Sao Paolo tout image of tolerance The glitzy Emirati city has said it would present a positive image of tolerance in a region rocked by turmoil. According to local officials, 40 percent of the estimated 227,000 new jobs expected to be created if the city bags the expo will be in the tourism and travel sectors. The site chosen for the event, if Dubai is successful, is spread over 438 hectares (1,082 acres) and located between the international airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates. The bustling metropolis of Sao Paulo, meanwhile, has also highlighted its culture of tolerance with communities from all around the world living in the 11-million-strong city and dismissed security concerns following a surge in violence last year. Brasilia has pledged federal aid if required to help the city foot the $3 billion (2.2 billion euro) bill, which shoots up to $9 billion if transport infrastructure is added. Sao Paulo is Latin Americas top business and convention hub and the worlds seventh largest city. As for Izmir, a city on Turkeys western coast, it already bid for a chance to host the 2015 Expo but lost out to Milan. Known as Smyrna throughout most of its history, Izmir was one of the first human settlements in the Mediterranean area. It emerged as a flourishing international trading post as a crossroads between Europe and Asia, and is also believed by some to be the birthplace of ancient Greek poet Homer. Described by the Turkish government as the pearl of the west with a sunny Mediterranean climate, the city of about four million is a major tourist attraction with a palm-lined renovated waterfront, archaeological treasures and ancient ruins and nearby golden beaches. Transport Minister Binali Yildirim said this week that Izmirs numbers could rise to 30 million in the space of six months if it wins the Expo. As for Russia, it is presenting the industrial city of Ekaterinburg as part of a bid to develop the Ural region into a hub for technology and innovation, and attract more tourists to this lesser-visited part of the country. With a population of 1.4 million, Ekaterinburg is Russias fourth largest city and is touting itself as the best place to do business in the country -- a verdict that was recently endorsed by Forbes magazine.
Posted on: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:42:02 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015