Duterte forms 2020 World Expo panel
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2019 07:20:41 +0000
President Duterte has ordered the formation of a Philippine Organizing Committee that will handle Manila’s participation in the upcoming World Expo 2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
In Administrative Order No. 17, Duterte said that the country’s participation in the event is an opportunity to promote the Philippines.
“The participation of the Philippines in the Expo 2020 Dubai provides an excellent opportunity to further enhance the country’s presence on a global scale, and promote the country’s commercial and public interests in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region,” Duterte said.
The organizing committee will be led by the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. The Secretary of the Department of Tourism will serve as vice chairperson.
Other members of the committee are the Secretaries of the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Budget and Management, Labor and Employment, Science and Technology, and Information and Communications Technology.
The committee will be responsible for formulating a theme and message of the Philippines which would promote the country as an “ideal destination” for trade, tourism, and investments and showcase the best of Filipino culture and heritage.
Funding for the committee will be sourced from the contingent fund of the 2019 national budget. However, the committee has to ensure that the benefits of the Philippines’ participation are maximized through a concerted and cost-effective approach.
The committee is also tasked to employ and utilize sustainable architectural design, including materials that may be adapted for re-use, whenever applicable.
All government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, or instrumentalities are also directed to render full assistance and cooperation to the POC.
This year’s World Expo which will be held between Oct. 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021 has the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.”
The World Expo takes place every five years, with Milan, Italy hosting the fair in 2015. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)