ON the occasion of Namibia’s National Day Celebrations, a highlight at the World Expo 2020 Dubai, President Hage Geingob said the event was the perfect platform to position Namibia as the investment destination of choice.
Statement by His Excellency Dr Hage G. Geingob:
“I would like to thank His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Government of the United Arab Emirates for the kind invitation extended to me to participate in the Expo 2020 Dubai.
Since my arrival, the hospitality and courtesies extended to me and my delegation have been excellent and for that, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of the UAE.
Indeed, it is my distinct pleasure and honour to be celebrating Namibia’s National Day, here at the world renowned Al Wasl Plaza with you.
My association with Expo 2020 Dubai started some years ago, when a delegation from Dubai was in Zimbabwe canvassing for support to host the event. While there, the delegation was told to visit Namibia but did not have landing rights, which we quickly extended to them.
In December 2013, as Prime Minister, I was in this world-class metropolitian city and met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to congratulate him and the UAE for winning the bid to host the Expo 2020.
I said to Sheikh Mohammed then that Namibia would like to become a quarter of what Dubai was, but he asked me why not just like Dubai.
Nine years later, and against all odds, Dubai and the people of the UAE have once again demonstrated to the world, the quality and caliber of this country by hosting an impressive World Expo.
The Dubai Expo 2020 has been a welcome platform to position Namibia as the investment destination of choice. Located in the Opportunity district, our pavilion was manned by 21 Namibians, working under the theme “The Future Favours the Brave”, to showcase Namibia’s investment opportunities. Our expectations in terms of the objectives set out for this Expo were exceeded, as over 300,000 people visited the pavilion.
I am therefore pleased with our participation in Expo 2020 Dubai. We are here to seek collaboration, and to draw from your experiences.
With our promotion of Green Hydrogen, and commercial oil discoveries by international oil companies, TotalEnergies and Shell, Namibia is opening a new frontier in its developmental trajectory.
These are game–changing events signaling the start of our transformation for which we will need dependable partners such as the United Arab Emirates.
I must say that our participation would not have been successful without the support of the Government of the UAE. By providing material and financial support to Namibia to ensure our participation in this global showpiece, the UAE has been more than a brother to us.
The UAE went beyond the call of duty. For that, I express gratitude to you for allowing Namibia to join “the making of a new world at the greatest showcase of human brilliance and achievement”.
Your Excellency, by hosting a remarkable Expo 2020 Dubai, you have indeed offered humanity an opportunity to build a better world and positively shape the future for all, including the people of Namibia.
As we are about to conclude our stay in Dubai, we have 7 days left before the Expo closes its doors.
However, the end of this Expo opens new horizons and new opportunities and I want to use this occasion to invite business people, including those from the UAE to visit our pavilion and most importantly to come and invest in Namibia.
In closing, I congratulate His Royal Highness and the Government for hosting a successful World Expo, which has connected us as one world and one global village.
I wish you all a happy National Day at the Expo 2020 Dubai.
I thank you!”
