Visiting Delegation From France Praise Dubai’s Growth Following Global Financial Crisis

Mayor of Lyon pledges support for emirate’s Expo 2020 bid as Dubai business leaders hail ’crucial’ ties between the two cities

A high-ranking delegation of French businessmen and civic leaders praised the emirate for recovering from the financial crisis and underlined their support for Dubai’s Expo 2020 bid.

The 47-strong delegation was made up of political leaders and chief executives of major companies from the east central city of Lyon, including the city’s mayor since 2001, Gerard Collomb. The group was hosted by Emirates Investment and Development PSC (Emivest).

Mr Collomb said during a meeting with Dubai-based executives at the Dubai World Trade Centre that the emirate was capable of hosting major international events and supported its bid to become the first city in the Middle East to host The World Expo, a cultural and business exhibition that attracts millions of visitors.

“Dubai wants to host big events and the city is ready,” said Mr Collomb. “France has confirmed that Dubai has our vote for the Expo 2020 bid."

The delegation – in the UAE for four days - was returning to Dubai for the first time since 2008 when the global financial crisis was affecting business in the emirate.

Mr Collomb said he was astonished at the speed of recovery and highlighted the emirate’s strong growth figures. The IMF predicts that Dubai’s GDP will grow by 3.7 per cent in 2013.

“I came to Dubai for the first time in June 2008 - it was not a good period and I saw that the crisis was strong,” he said.

“Coming back now, I’m hugely impressed by the growth of the emirate and how it has recovered.

“When I see buildings like the Burj Khalifa and read financial reports about an increase

in tourists and airline passenger numbers, and when I see the events being hosted here, I see that that Dubai is on the right path.”

Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, Chairman of Emivest, which hosted the delegation, said forging strong ties with international cities is “crucial for Dubai and its development”.

“We have seen great exchange of knowledge and ideas and we are very excited at how this will translate into ties in various sectors between Dubai and Lyon,” he said.

Both parties emphasized the importance of the five times weekly direct flights that Emirates Airline has launched between Dubai and Lyon.

“The new direct Emirates flight to Dubai is very important for our companies - it makes travel a lot easier to the Gulf and Asia through Dubai” said Mr Collomb.

The deal followed “four to five years” of negotiation, according to the CEO of Aeroports de Lyon, Philippe Bernand.

“We feel very lucky to have been chosen by Emirates because there is a lot of competition by many European cities,” he said. “This direct flight will be fantastic for both cities, in terms of business and exchange of tourists.”

Francois Gaillard, Director General and CEO of the Board of Tourism in Greater Lyon, said the French city will become a prime destination for people from the region.

“Lyon is a concentration of everything that France has to offer,” he said.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Mar 7, 2013

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