Otago to show wares At Shanghai World Expo 2010

Work is well underway to highlight Otago’s civic and business links with China at the World Expo in Shanghai next year. The Expo is expected to attract 70 million people with the New Zealand pavilion preparing to host 40,000 visitors each day.

The VIP lounge adjacent to the New Zealand public pavilion will be used to host Chinese political and business leaders. Peter Harris, manager of the Dunedin City Council’s Economic Development Unit, believes Otago is in a unique position to benefit from the Expo. “Dunedin’s sister city relationship with Shanghai and having a Mayor of Chinese descent is a fantastic foundation on which Dunedin can build relationships” he said.

The DCC Economic Development Unit has employed Katy Lam, who has managed international trade fairs all over Asia, to create a plan to maximise opportunities for Dunedin from the Expo. She has been very pleased with the enthusiasm shown by Otago politicians and business people “The number of people who are already doing business with China is surprising and people are keen to use World Expo to showcase our region.”

Otago Forward, the regional economic development group, will consider a plan developed by Ms Lam. If councils and businesses around the region agree, a delegation is likely to visit the Expo in May 2010.