Dubai’s District 2020: The latest on the Expo 2020 legacy site

The first tenants will be able to set up in Dubai’s District 2020 within months, according to a recent article from The National. More than 80 businesses will be among the first to settle into the Expo 2020 legacy site that will open in October 2022. Consequently, over 600 small businesses and start-ups from across the globe are competing for the opportunity to be one of the new innovation hub’s earliest tenants. In this Pacific Prime Dubai article, we cover the latest on Expo 2020 Dubai’s legacy site: District 2020.

What is District 2020?

In case you haven’t heard, District 2020 is a smart city that will replace Expo 2020 after it closes in March. Once Expo 2020 Dubai finishes on March 31st, 2022, 80% of the area will turn into the megaproject that is being called “a city of the future”. Construction, which is set to start on April 11th, 2022, will transform the former World Expo site into an urban living community driven by technology and sustainability.

Along with residential areas, District 2020 will feature co-working spots, smart mobility, and plenty of green spaces. Set to become the first “15-minute city” in the country, it will be possible to walk or cycle from one end of District 2020 to the other. In fact, cycling will be the main mode of transport in the area and will replace the need for a car.

For safe and convenient travel between work and home, District 2020 will feature various mobility options that link the site. This will include:

• a dedicated autonomous vehicle route
• a 10-kilometer cycling track
• a 5-kilometer jogging track
• wide interconnected pedestrian pathways

Through the use of smart infrastructure, District 2020 has its sights set on a sustainable lifestyle. Additionally, several entities will join the project to provide 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Blockchain, robotics, and other technologies and innovation to enhance businesses and residential living.

Dubai’s global business hub

Through District 2020, the emirate aims to provide opportunities to start-ups and businesses alike with programs like Scale2Dubai. Siemens, DP World, and Terminus Technologies are some of District 2020’s anchor tenants.

The Scale2Dubai Program

Based in the upcoming smart city, Scale2Dubai is a global entrepreneurship program that will make it possible for several businesses and start-ups to access new markets in Dubai. The program will look for ideas and collaboration from local and global organizations, government organizations, academia, and Fortune 500 companies.

After receiving over 3,000 registrations from 129 countries, 628 businesses are now on the shortlist. A panel of judges will carefully review each application. From there, they will choose over 80 start-ups and small businesses to join the opening of District 2020. Selection criteria for start-ups include at least two years of operation, with an existing solution and one paying customer. The final list of start-ups who will join the Scale2Dubai program will be announced in March.

Scale2Dubai’s director, Tala Al Ansari, has described District 2020 as an “ideal home” that will support Dubai’s start-up ecosystem. Along with its goal of being an innovation hub, District 2020 will also be a hub for education and entertainment. Several structures from the global fair, such as its central Al Wasl Plaza, will stay.

The eco-friendly Sustainability pavilion will become a children’s center and science zone while the Dubai Exhibition Center next to the metro station will turn into a venue for major events like international trade fairs.

Should your business move to District 2020?

According to Gulf News, there are numerous benefits to having a business based out of District 2020, including:

• A 2-year visa for small businesses and start-ups (depending on size)
• 2 years of free workspace (as well as subsidized urban living – subject to availability)
• A community lifestyle with room for innovation and growth

Service providers will also have access to special rates while being included in an equity-free program. If you’re looking to scale your small business or start-up in Dubai and the MEASA region, you can submit an application through Scale2Dubai’s online form.

Protect your business with Pacific Prime Dubai

Regardless of your future plans, it pays to protect your business. Unexpected occurrences can happen at any time, which can leave you in financial and legal trouble if you’re not prepared. Fortunately, business insurance plans protect businesses from financial and property damage to workers’ compensation claims, business interruptions, and so much more.

With the right insurance plan, you can drastically minimize the damage from claims against your business. However, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution since every business has its own unique set of needs. That’s where Pacific Prime Dubai comes in. As a leading corporate insurance and global employee benefits specialist, we provide tailored policies for businesses of all sizes and across different industries.

Contact us to learn more about coverage options for your business and to receive a free plan comparison or quote today.

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Jantra Jacobs

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime Dubai

Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.

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