Emirates NBD Group gives staff extra week's holiday to volunteer at Expo 2020 Dubai

Bank's volunteers from 85 different nationalities will lend a hand

The nearly finished UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai replicates the shape of a falcon's wings. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2020 will be 13,069 square metres - the second largest pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

A total of 126 columns will be erected inside the Bahrain pavilion to create a steel 'forest'. Photo: Bahrain Expo 2020 Dubai

The Omani pavilion, called Opportunities Over Time, will be part of the Mobility Thematic District and split into five zones. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Kuwait's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai replicates the funnel of a water tower. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

The Lebanon pavilion for Expo 2020 in Dubai is simple in its design. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Morocco's pavilion contains 14 exhibition spaces connected by a continuous ‘inner street’, which begins at the building’s uppermost floor and gradually descends to the ground. Photo: Expo Morocco

An artist's rendering of an exhibit inside Syria's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

An artist's rendering of an exhibit inside Yemen's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, reviews final preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

Emirates NBD Group, an official partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, has told staff they can volunteer at the event for up to a week without using up any annual leave days.

The group's network of volunteers includes UAE citizens and residents.

Last week, Emirates NBD announced it would occupy a 3,000 square foot space on Al Wasl Avenue, describing it as the “future of global banking".

“Our employees will make history alongside thousands of other volunteers,’" said Eman Abdulrazzaq, group chief human resource officer at the group.

“The Expo 2020 Dubai volunteering programme is the largest-ever in the UAE and reflects the country’s diversity, with 135 nationalities participating.”

Volunteers from Emirates NBD Group include people of 85 different nationalities.

In addition to the week of paid leave to volunteer at the World Fair, all employees receive a day of paid leave to volunteer as part of the Exchanger programme, which was launched in 2015 and has accumulated more than 145,000 volunteering hours.

On Monday, government staff in Dubai were told they could take an extra week of paid holiday to enjoy the Expo.

Organisers announced the launch of the October Pass, which will allow access to the sprawling Dubai South site and all of its attractions at a heavily discounted rate.

The eagerly awaited world's fair will be home to 192 pavilions. It will feature up to 60 live events each day and 200 food and beverage outlets to fuel visitors during a journey around the world in one place.

It opens to the public on Friday and will be the first expo to be staged in the Middle East.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed tours Expo 2020 Dubai - in pictures