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56 countries sign up for 2010 Shanghai World Expo
By Miao Qing (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-08-12 09:10
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Organizers of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo on Friday announced that 56 countries and six international organizations had so far confirmed their participation in the event.
The United Kingdom and Senegal were among the latest to respond to Shanghai's invitation on Friday afternoon.
The organizers are now confident that they will be able to reach their target of 200 exhibitors.
So far, 21 of the 56 countries that have signed up are from Africa, while 15 Asian countries have also confirmed their attendance.
After accepting the invitation, participants will hold further discussions with the Shanghai organizers about setting up their pavilions and signing participation contracts, said Zhou Hanmin, deputy director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Co-ordination.
"We have already started bilateral discussions with some countries concerning such technical aspects," said Zhou.
The expo organizers are trying to involve more countries, including those who are not members of the Bureau of International Expositions, such as the United States.
Zhou said he was hopeful that the United States would take part in the expo. Franklin Lavin, the US Commerce Department's under-secretary for international trade, has already visited Shanghai twice and expressed the "strong will" of the United States to participate.
Expo organizers have already pledged US$100 million to help participating countries build their national pavilions.
In addition to setting up pavilions and supporting facilities, the Shanghai Expo will have a 10-hectare "Urban Best Practice Area" on the expo site, a first for a world expo. Zhou said they plan to invite a number of cities to showcase their special features in the area.
China sent out official invitations signed by Premier Wen Jiabao to 192 countries and 60 international organizations on March 22.
Expo organizers will also start inviting corporate exhibitors in the second half of this year, Zhou revealed.