Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid ‘optimistic’ about Dubai’s Expo 2020 bid

"We are optimistic and have whatever it takes to host the world event,” Dubai's Ruler says of the emirate's bid to host Expo 2020 as a committee sat down for a last time to review the final presentation ahead of the vote.

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DUBAI // The Dubai Expo 2020 High Committee met on Wednesday to review the final presentation that will be made to the voting panel.

The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the committee, who stressed the importance of keeping up the hard work that has been carried out, right up until the day of the vote on November 27.

Sheikh Ahmed is also the president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

The 20-minute presentation will be made during the 154th Bureau International des Exhibitions (BIE) general assembly in Paris to highlight why Dubai should become the 2020 host city.

At a separate meeting yesterday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, gave his opinion on Dubai's bid.

“We are optimistic...and we have the ingredients which support this optimism. We are worthy of hosting...but we have to be realistic,” he said, adding that “whether we win Expo 2020 or without it...we are moving on with achieving our developmental plans.”

“We trust our capabilities and the elements of strength we possess that distinguish us from our competitors.”

ksinclair@thenational.ae