Germany has pledged to spend €50mn (AED226mn) to build and run one of the largest national pavilions at Dubai Expo 2020 after signing its participation contract on Wednesday. The budget also covers an allocation for cultural events throughout the duration of the Expo and takedown of the pavilion after the Expo ends. Under rules laid down by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the World Expo governing body, national pavilions must be handed back as bare plots, and do not form part of Expo 2020 Dubai’s legacy plans. Dietmar Schmitz, Commissioner General for the German Pavilion, said at a press conference that the funds for the 4,500 square metre pavilion, to be located in Expo’s Sustainability district, had been allocated by the German federal government, without private sponsorship. The German delegation expected around 3mn visitors to the pavilion, based on expected visitor numbers at Expo 2020 and past Expo experience.