DUBAI // Hesham Al Suwaidi has seen Dubai evolve rapidly over the past 10 years, and says the rate of change could be even faster should the city win the right to host Expo 2020.
Dr Al Suwaidi, 38, an Emirati who lives in Dubai and works in Sharjah, believes the UAE’s culture of hospitality makes it the perfect place to host the expo.
“We are a welcoming nation and we hope to have this opportunity to welcome people here,” he said.
“Dubai is the best place to host it, there’s no doubt about it. We’re capable of doing anything we set out to do.
“The city is changing all the time. Dubai two years ago is not the same as Dubai now.
“It’s always changing, and always evolving. The opportunity of having Expo 2020 here will definitely make that rate of development faster, and make it bigger.”
Dr Al Suwaidi said the Government had major plans to add to existing infrastructure, including extending the Red Line on the Metro.
Those projects would undoubtedly go ahead, he said, but gaining the expo could speed things along.
“Whether we host the Expo 2020 or not, Dubai will change and improve,” Dr Al Suwaidi said.
“We are going in this direction if we get the Expo 2020 or not. But winning the bid will make all the projects go even faster.”
mcroucher@thenational.ae