Feb. 9 – “We’ve decided to build a bridge towards Dubai 2020, because Expo is a process that must continue for the cultural progress of peoples,” commented the Councilor for Expo and for the Internationalization of Enterprises of the Lombardy Region, Fabrizio Sala. Sala is in Dubai with co-worker Valentina Aprea, Councilor for Education, Training and Labour, to promote the Universal Exhibition in Milan at “Gulfood”, the largest fair in the catering and hospitality industry, scheduled until 12 February at the Dubai World Trade Center. “Expo 2015 is a seven-year long process, something you all know very well, as you’re also preparing for Expo Dubai 2020 – said Sala – Expo Milano 2015 is a success story that goes beyond expectations, a story in which the Lombardy Region has invested more than €800 million. The reason for the success is the theme: ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’, which brings together two worlds, those who need to eat and those who need to eat well, that is food safety and food security, and then there are the pavilions and clusters. Another success factor is Expo Night, a series of side events with shows and much more. We expected 20 million visitors, but collecting the data, we can say that we will welcome 25 million people: 8 million tickets have already been sold, 5 million of which come from abroad. The UAE Pavilion in Milan arouses great curiosity,” continued the Councilor, recalling the objectives of the World Expo Tour of Lombardy Region: “Promoting Expo 2015 and its contents, in view of the approval of the Milan Charter. Business promotion and internationalization, the attraction of foreign investment in the Lombardy region, where we have unique riches, are also our goals. Working well, we will multiply the income effect, for now estimated at €15 billion. We will incentivize visitors to return to Italy and Lombardy in the years to come, and not only during Expo. Building the future, this is the legacy of the Exhibition.”
