Originally planned for 2020, the international showcase in the United Arab Emirates is now pencilled in to run from 1 October 2021 until 31 March 2022, though obviously serious questions must remain about its practicability until the world's battle with COVID-19 is resolved.
Nevertheless, a release from the Ministry of Economics said "The lease agreement stipulates that Latvia will participate in the exhibition using a pre-built pavilion, which will be arranged in accordance with the theme of the exhibition, where Latvian expositions will be located and business and cultural events will be organized."
The agreement was signed by Hanan Khalfan Obaid Ali Al Madhani, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Latvia, and Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics Raimonds Aleksejenko.
Aleksejenko said that the Dubai Expo "will probably be the first global event after overcoming the COVID-19 crisis" according to the release -- a statement that relies on a certain amount of prophecy.
The official website of the event describes itself immodestly as a "global mega event" and says the delay "allows all participants to safely navigate the impact of COVID-19."
As previously reported numerous times by LSM, Latvia's participation in various 'Expo' events over the years has been a fraught affair, with lengthy debates about whether to participate, last-minute pull-outs, rows over pavilions and spiralling expenses.
The release did not mention how much the rental agreement would cost the state budget, but the Economics Ministry told LSM: "According to the agreement, the planned rent for the pavilion for the entire duration of the exhibition is 700,000 euros."
