KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Pavilion today celebrates Malaysia Day by paying tribute to the nation's achievements across key sectors including economic, social, cultural, science and technology, at the honour day accorded by Expo 2020 Dubai to participating countries.

It is also the 100-day milestone of Malaysia's participation at Expo 2020 Dubai, which takes place from Oct 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) said in a statement.

It said leading the high-level delegation from Malaysia is Deputy MOSTI Minister Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim, who was welcomed by United Arab Emirates Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh.

"Expo 2020 Dubai, with the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future", has unlocked many new and exciting market opportunities for Malaysia to enhance trade, investment and cultural exchanges,'' said Ahmad Amzad Hashim in a speech during the ceremony on behalf of MOSTI Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

He said Expo 2020 Dubai has provided Malaysia a unique opportunity to reinforce its position as the regional economic hub of Southeast Asia.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob previously said Malaysia had generated more thanUS$8.03 billion (RM33.9 billion) potential trade and investment returns in the first eight weeks of participation at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

As of Week 12 of the Expo 2020 Dubai, Malaysia has garnered US$8.4 billion (RM35.2 billion) potential trade and investment returns on the back of 71 memoranda of understanding, memoranda of cooperation and letters of intent as well as 793 business indicators with several international companies.

The Malaysia Pavilion has welcomed over 500,000 visitations to date.

-- BERNAMA