Dubai furthers its claims in race to stage World Expo 2020

It looks increasingly likely that Dubai will be chosen to stage the all-important World Expo 2020.The Gulf metropolis has been shortlisted alongside another four cities and a final decision on where the high-profile event is to be held will be made later this year.All 163 members of the Bureau International des Expositions will vote for their favourite destination and Dubai will be up against Ayutthaya in Thailand, Ekaterinburg, Russia, the Turkish city of Izmir and Sao Paulo - the largest urban area in Brazil.While all of these entrants have their different qualities, it seems Dubai is leading the way at the moment.The World Expo 2020 is aimed at connecting countries all around the world, as well as allowing decision-makers to establish new partnerships and discuss sustainability.Dubai is one of the fastest growing cities on the planet and it has impeccable infrastructure.The emirate is also very much accustomed to hosting international exhibitions and conferences all year round, so it is certainly well placed to put on a great show in 2020.Each candidate city is expected to select a theme for the event and Dubai has gone with "Connecting minds, creating the future".His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, believes this is an important message."Connected thinking is the best hope for progress and for successful and peaceful existence in the generations to come," he remarked.Dubai's bid has also received support from some of the most respected and influential entrepreneurs on the planet.Microsoft's Bill Gates was recently quoted by Emirates 24/7 as saying: "Dubai, and UAE, has modernised itself, taken on top projects, brought people together in a number of amazing ways, and I think Dubai will be a great location for a World Expo."If Dubai is successful in landing World Expo 2020, levels of foreign investment into the emirate are likely to soar in the coming years.