2nd November 2021 EXPO 2020 Dubai The Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) are representing Samoa at the delayed World Expo Dubai 2020.
Four representatives from Samoa have arrived safely and are working at the Samoa Pavilion at the World Expo to promote Samoa as well as engage in dialogue for potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
The Samoa team is made up of Samoa Pavilion Manager Manusinalesoa Lote Lima (SCCI), Logistics Manager Lemoa John Lemoa (SCCI), Levao Iulai Lesa (Senior Marketing Officer – Samoa Tourism Authority) and Felanuai Talaafi (Investment Officer – Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour).
The preparations of Samoa’s participation were focused on promoting tourism, investment opportunities, young entrepreneurs, history and culture as well as opportunities for the private sector.
Samoa is one of 192 participating countries at the World Expo Dubai 2020, also known as “the Greatest Show in the World” that opened on the 1st of October 2021 after being postponed from 2020.
The Expo site is now home to people from all over the world.
Manusinalesoa the Samoa Pavilion is open 7 days a week, from 10am to 10pm daily.
“There has been a huge interest in Samoa.. the Samoa Pavilion has already had a surge of visitors since it has opened with visitors interested in traveling to Samoa, our cultural artefacts on display as well potential partnerships with Samoa and the private sector”.
In addition to work within the Samoa Pavilion, Samoa has also connected with other Pacific Island countries also participating at the Expo to discuss ways on showcasing the Pacific region and how to make the Pacific footprint known in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Pacific Islands are well represented at the Expo 2020 through Fiji, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Palau, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Nauru, and Tuvalu.
The Samoa Pavilion is averaging betwen 2,000 to 3,000 visitors per day.
“On Friday 28th October the Samoa Pavilion received its highest daily visitor count to date with 4,017 visitors visiting our Pavilion”, said Manusinalesoa.
The Commissioner General for Samoa and immediate past president of Samoa Chamber, Jennifer Ula-Fruean said it was important for Samoa to participate at the global event, so as to not miss out on the promotional opportunities.
“The main objective is to market Samoa as a preferred tourist destination, and to promote Samoa as a trustworthy investment destination for areas such as manufacturing, tourism, and renewable energy,” said Mrs Ula-Fruean.
“It’s also an excellent opportunity to build partnerships and to share experiences and learn from the experiences of others, especially with the currently challenges of doing business in a Covid world with this global event being held during Covid times,” she added.
On behalf of the private sector, Ms Ula-Fruean acknowledged the Hon. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and her Cabinet for considering and allowing Samoa’s participation at the Expo which is crucial during these unprecedented times.
With the first month of Expo coming to an end, Samoa is hoping the next 5 months will bring in more visitors to the Samoa Pavilion and build more connections at the World Expo to benefit our small but resilient island country.
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