Countdown to World Expo Begins

MEDIA RELEASE: COUNTDOWN TO WORLD EXPO BEGINS

1 April 2010: With just a month until the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai officially opens, New Zealand businesses are seizing the opportunity to be part of what is set to be the biggest expo in world history.

One of the main objectives of New Zealand’s decision to participate in the world expo, which opens on 1 May, was to provide a platform for New Zealand businesses to develop and strengthen trade links with the world’s most dynamic economy.

The opportunity has been grasped with both hands.

“More than 160 companies and businesses have already committed to being involved in activities at the New Zealand pavilion, either individually or as part of ministerial or regional delegations,” says Phillip Gibson, New Zealand’s commissioner-general at the expo.

“We have 175 functions booked at the pavilion to date, involving nearly 7000 guests, and we expect this to increase considerably over the next few months.”

“It is fantastic to see New Zealand businesses take up the opportunity to be involved with such a historic event. Some 70 million visitors are expected over the six months of the expo, and we are expecting that more than seven million visitors will experience the New Zealand pavilion.

“The excitement is beginning to build now that the opening is just a few short weeks away.”

Mr Gibson says that there will be six high-level missions, led by the Prime Minister and other Ministers, to Shanghai during the six-month course of the expo. In addition, regional delegations from Wellington, Otago, Hawkes Bay, Tauranga and South Canterbury would visit, with others likely when arrangements now in train are finalised.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, which has overall responsibility for the Shanghai expo project, has established a leveraging programme, aimed at assisting New Zealand businesses to maximise the opportunities presented by New Zealand’s participation in the expo.

“The World Expo, and the New Zealand Pavilion, offers New Zealand businesses the opportunity develop and build international relationships in China, and host their guests in an environment that features a unique showcase of New Zealand culture, innovation and technology,” says Mr Gibson.

The New Zealand Pavilion is close to completion at the Expo Park, and the finishing touches are expected to be added over the next few weeks. Sponsors of the pavilion include Air New Zealand, ANZ Bank, Fonterra, Ngâi Tahu, Solid Energy, Zespri and two yet-to-be named Chinese companies with major interests in New Zealand.

Business interested in participating in NZTE’s VIP corporate hosting programme and spending dedicated time with international contacts at the New Zealand Pavilion are encouraged to visit http://shanghaiexpo2010.nzte.govt.nz for more information or email expo2010@nzte.govt.nz

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