SHANGHAI: Europe's largest engineering firm Siemens has signed an agreement to become the sixth global partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai.

Siemens, the first multinational company to become an independent global partner of the expo will provide innovative infrastructure and healthcare services.

Zhong Yanqun, vice-chairperson of Executive Committee of World Expo 2010 Shanghai China who attended the signing ceremony, said the success of the event depended on the support of the business community.

"This is a good beginning for more multinational companies to participate in the Shanghai expo," she said.

"The expo serves as an opportunity as well as a stage, for not only Chinese companies but also companies from all over the world."

Chen Xianjin, deputy director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, said the bureau chose Siemens as their global partner because the company is a world leader in its field.

Richard Hausmann, president and CEO of Siemens China, said Siemens will provide the expo the most advanced solutions in rail transportation, building technology and healthcare.

A top issue is the cooperation between Siemens and Shanghai on the development of new maglev lines.

According to the plan, the existing maglev stretch between the Pudong International Airport and the Longyang Metro Station will be expanded to the planned mega project - Hongqiao Transportation Hub, passing through the expo site. Another maglev line between Shanghai and Hangzhou will be completed by the end of 2009.

But both Siemens and Shanghai Expo organizers are yet to reveal more details about the maglev project.

Before the Siemens announcement, Shanghai World Expo organizers formalized agreements with China Eastern Airlines, China Mobile, China Telecom, Bank of Communications and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation & General Motors.

Expo organizers said they were seeking up to another six global partners and about 15 senior sponsors.

(China Daily 05/21/2007 page3)