DUBAI, Jan 13: The emirate is expected to see unprecedented rush of tourists from all over the world during the next few weeks for its retail cum entertainment extravaganza where the country will be featured as a modern state with a model of Minar- i-Pakistan rising high in festival’s specially created Global Village.

The 8th annual Dubai Shopping Festival 2003, scheduled to begin on Wednesday and continue till Feb 15, was given the title of ‘One World, One Family and One Festival’.

The opening ceremony on Dubai creek, as boasted by the organizers, would be a spectacular visual and “dazzle the world with its creativity, splendour and technical brilliance”. It would be followed by a big carnival parade and a folkloric show.

The main attraction of the festival, famous for its generous and world-record breaking raffle draws, would be a Global Village, described by its sponsors as a city within a city.

Each half-millionth visitor would get a special prize and a visitor marking the three million mark would receive “extra - special prize”.

During the previous festival the Global Village had a daily average of 75,000 visitors, but organizers anticipate a much higher number during the current year.

Pakistan had built its pavilion on 1,200 square meters, accommodating 54 stalls displaying its traditional furniture, handicrafts, leather, textiles, onyx and marble products, jewellery, gem stones, bangles and spices.

“Pakistan pavilion has been designed to show the country as a modern state....and will be the center of cultural heritage and folkloric activities,” the official of the Pakistani mission in Dubai told the local media.

A replica of the Minar-i-Pakistan had been erected and the arched boundary wall was decorated with painting and posters reflecting the many faces of the life in the country.

The Pakistani consulate had formed a cultural committee with the help of the Pakistani expatriates and for the first time hired a Dubai based professional company to organized its musical functions during the festival.