A high-level UAE delegation is making last-minute efforts in Paris to win as many votes as possible for Dubai's bid to host the World Expo 2020.

Dubai competes against three other cities - Ekaterinburg, Russia; Izmir, Turkey; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Expo will represent a first for the city that wins the bid.

The seven-member high-powered UAE delegation arrived in the French capital on Monday ahead of the crucial ballot tomorrow (November 27), said a Gulf News report.

The UAE contingent is being led by chairman of the bid committee Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation and chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group; deputy chairman Mohammed Ebrahim Al Shaibani, director-general of the Ruler’s Court of Dubai and CEO Investment Corporation of Dubai; and Reem Al Hashemi, managing director of the committee and Minister of State.

Apart from this, at least 10 UAE Federal Ministers are scheduled to attend the voting process of the Expo.

The UAE team hosted a reception for delegates on Monday night, making it the final official dinner hosted by the UAE given that every competing country is allowed to host two dinners, the report said.

Turkey is hosting its reception on Tuesday night.

The UAE contingent are still in the process of negotiating with countries for their votes, said the report.

Predicted to rake in billions of dollars from investors, the Expo will usher in economic prosperity for the UAE which will have lasting effects, according to local and international businesses.

If successful, Dubai will host the Expo in the 140 sq km Dubai World Central. The Expo will also increase the number of visitors to the UAE with a predicted 24 million tourists entering the country, not to mention exhibitors from more than 180 nations. - TradeArabia News Service