Expo 2020 Dubai is currently driving a high-volume of construction activities across the emirate with over $8 billion investment already allocated to transport and infrastructure projects in and around the expo site, said a report released ahead of a key industry event.

According to the “Expo 2020 Dubai - Infrastructure Development Report” prepared by BNC Network for The Big 5, the total estimated value of project investments to develop the Expo site is between $2 billion and $4 billion.

Expo 2020 Dubai’s Vice President of Real Estate and Delivery, Ahmed Al Khatib, will be discussing the impact of World Expo on Dubai’s economy and landscape tomorrow (November 26) at The Big 5’s Excellence in Construction Summit.

Just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Atomium in Brussels, Dubai is currently building its very own iconic World Expo landmarks. Many of the Expo 2020 Dubai-related construction projects will remain as permanent structures once Expo is over, with its legacy expanding well beyond the 438 hectare exhibition site, stated the report.

In line with the Dubai 2020 Urban Master Plan to build thriving metropolitan districts and a modern infrastructure, some high-value projects related to Expo 2020 include the Dubai Metro Red Line Extension ($2.9 billion), the Expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport – Phase 2 ($2 billion), and Improvement of Roads Networks – Phases 1 to 5 ($390 million).

Josine Heijmans, the portfolio event director of The Big 5, said: "The award of Expo 2020 has provided a strong stimulus for construction activities in Dubai: the Emirate has nearly 200 active transport projects at the moment, with a combined estimated value of $34 billion."

"It’s therefore a true honor to host Al Khatib, as a keynote speaker at the Excellence in Construction Summit," stated Heijmans.

Bringing under one roof the visionaries and forward-thinking leaders, The Big 5’s high-profile summit will unveil and explore current and future trends of the construction sector in Dubai, the GCC region and beyond.

Besides Al Khatib, some of the confirmed VIP speakers include Dr Ahmad Bin Hassan Al Shaikh, the chairman of Ducab HV,  Bibop G. Gresta, the chairman and co-founder of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, and PNC Menon, the chairman and founder of Sobha Group.

The 38th edition of The Big 5 runs from 26 to 29 November at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Being the largest and most influential event for the construction industry in the Middle East Region, The Big 5 hosts over 2,500 exhibitors from 60 countries, and is expected to attract 78,000 construction industry professionals from all over the world.-TradeArabia News Service