Chairman of Dubai’s Al Habtoor Group Khalaf al-Habtoor told the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) on 4 May that he did not anticipate that Dubai would have any difficulty in raising finance for projects needed for the World Expo 2020.

Al-Habtoor told delegates gathered at Dubai’s Madinat umeirah that he expected the strong levels of growth forecast in Dubai in the years to 2020 to continue beyond the Expo.

The Dubai businessman said that Al Habtoor City, the Al Habtoor Group’s biggest-ever investment, which is due for completion in 2016, will include three hotels and the region’s first waterside theatre.

Al-Habtoor said that local and international banks are prepared to finance projects Dubai needs to complete in time for the World Expo. This includes a major expansion in hotel and hospitality assets.

And he said that he did not expect a significant slowdown in Dubai’s growth after the Expo ends in April 2021. “Growth will continue for at least 15 years from now,” he said.

AHIC is organised by Bench Events and MEED.