Why Should Egypt Support Busan`s Bid To EXPO 2030?, Op-ed

It is known that exhibitions’ industry is an important facexhibitionsitively contributes to any country`s national economic growth and development.

“Expo” has economic importance that resides in the fact that it contributes to increasing national income and activating different sectors like tourism and others. Expo comes in the third position worldwide events after World Cup and the Olympics.

The first historical Expo dates back to 1851 in London, the capital of England. The World Expo has been held since the mid-19th century, every five years, and lasts for a maximum period of 6 months.

Expos create a micro-world where a visitor can experience the best of what countries want to share about themselves, their culture, their art, or their industries in one location. Expos create an opportunity to meet and interact with people from all over the world, seeing first-hand not only the extent and beauty of diversity but also similarity as humans.

The last edition [Expo 2020] was held in Dubai as the world exhibition was postponed for a year due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Dubai was the first city in the Middle East and West Asia to host the exhibition’s activities.

The Egyptian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has witnessed a huge turnout, according to Trade and Industry Ministry, noting that the pavilion has received more than 1.5 million visitors from various world countries.

The pavilion combined cultural touches and a future vision for modern Egypt, noted the ministry, adding that it also sheds light on the Egyptian civilization and the most characteristic features of the Egyptian personality throughout history, in addition to focusing on Egypt's future and the most important opportunities available to investors in all sectors.

As part of an official competition organized by the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the Egyptian pavilion garnered third place in the medium-sized pavilions participating in Expo 2020 Dubai, added the ministry.

The next edition of the world exhibition “Expo 2025” would be held in the Japanese city “Osaka Kansai” in the period between April 13 and October 13, 2025.

The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), with 170 country members residing in Paris, is the intergovernmental organization in charge of overseeing, regulating, and choosing countries where Expos take place every 5 years and last up to 6 months.

Expo forms the road map for the most prominent products and industrial and service techniques that will shape the features of the coming human civilization. Previous Expos have presented the initial production of phones, televisions and smartphones, and touch screens.

Over 6 months duration, Expo receives millions of visitors who explore the booths of participants and engage in the different organized events. Each of the participating countries establishes separate booths to show its products of private and governmental companies. The host country takes the opportunity as well to present its potential in the fields of production and creativity.

In any country, the Expo is preceded by several preparations and projects that work toward establishing new companies and investments, especially in the hotel sector, which contributes to accelerating the wheel of the economy and investment and provides hundreds of thousands of job opportunities. This is in addition to the fact that the Expo is among the distinguished activities that aim at strengthening international relations, celebrating cultural diversity, and appreciating technological innovations.

Boasting a history of over 171 years, World Expos have long been known as platforms for innovation and cultural exchange. And in September 2022, South Korea submitted a formal bid to host this extraordinary event.

The vote for the 2030 Expo’s host country, organized by the Bureau of International des Expositions (BIE), is set to take place in November 2023. Launched in 2021, the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan has been conducting promotional activities to raise awareness and rally support for Korea’s bid.

The 2030 Busan World Expo is expected to receive visitors in 30 million, with an estimated revenue of about 5.6 trillion won.

In addition, Expos are prime venues for public diplomacy. Since government officials from all over the world will attend the Expo, this could be a chance for Korea to work out trade deals and strengthen international relations. This event holds significance even on a nongovernmental scale. Organizations and corporations – not to mention investors and entrepreneurs from all kinds of fields – will attend the event.

Hosting the 2030 World Expo in Busan would also facilitate the development of the area’s infrastructure. The construction of additional roads, bridges, and electrical infrastructure will contribute to the city’s physical redevelopment in addition to creating new jobs.

Speaking of jobs, the massive influx of visitors coming to Korea for the Expo will promote international and local tourism, further creating new job opportunities. The hospitality industry, in particular, mainly comprising hotels, catering, and tourism will see a huge increase in profits during the Expo period.

Going from rags to riches in just over a century, South Korea is living proof that even the bleakest situations can evolve into something amazing. This is a chance to showcase not just the beauty of Busan, but Korea as a whole to the rest of the world.

Egypt is the gateway to Africa and its source of history and civilization and its tourist sites, places, historical attractions, and monuments represent a great attraction.

The tourism sector in Egypt is witnessing a great boom, as the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced that the number of tourist nights spent by tourists in the first half of 2022 amounted to 52.6 million nights, compared to 32.2 million nights in the same period last year, an increase of 63.6%.

Tourism is one of the most important sources of foreign exchange for Egypt, along with the Suez Canal and remittances from workers abroad, which were affected by the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, as Russia and Ukraine were major sources of tourist influx.

In the coming months, with the onset of the winter season, Egypt is seeking to attract more tourists, especially from East Asia countries, as there are good ties between Egypt and those countries at the political and popular levels.

Luxor and Aswan cities are witnessing strong tourist flows during the winter season, from Southeast Asian countries, especially after Japan lifted the travel ban on Egypt last October.

In 2010, Egypt Pavilion at Shanghai Expo witnessed a high turnout, as it received about 3 million Chinese visitors, a matter which reflected Chinese People’s admiration and appreciation for Egyptian monuments and culture.

Egypt maintains good relations with East Asian countries and is seeking to boost them at all levels..... Hope the future brings more stability and prosperity for the peoples of Egypt and East Asian states.