Trinidad and Tobago will be participating in the famous World Expo which will be held this year in Shanghai, China. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will be among the team of those representing Trinidad and Tobago at Expo Shanghai 2010 which runs from May 1st to October 31st 2010. Trinidad and Tobago’s participation in this World Expo is being coordinated by Eteck, head of the Steering Committee. The Committee also comprises representatives of MTI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and government agencies such as the Business Development Company Limited (BDC), Tourism Development Company (TDC), Tobago House of Assembly and others, along with support from the private sector.
The World Expo is a large-scale, global, non-commercial Expo and is held every five years. The Expo aims to promote the exchange of ideas and development of the world economy, culture, science and technology, to allow exhibitors to publicise and display their achievements and improve international relationships. Accordingly, the World Expo with its 150-year history is regarded as the Olympic Games for showcasing economy, science and technology.
The theme of Expo 2010 is ‘Better City, Better Life’ representing the common wish of the whole humankind for a better living in future urban environments. The Expo Shanghai 2010 emblem is inspired by the shape of the Chinese character “δΈ–”(meaning the world) and projects the image of three people, you, I, and he/she, throwing arms around each other. It symbolizes the big family of mankind in harmony and happiness, and conveys the notion of the World Expo of “understanding, communication, union and cooperation”.
More than 200 countries and over 50 international organizations have registered to participate in the Shanghai World Expo. China expects to receive almost 100 foreign leaders and millions of people from across the world to come and visit the World Expo. 70 million visitors are expected, the largest in history.
As part of the overall CARICOM Pavilion, Trinidad and Tobago’s presentation at Expo Shanghai 2010 focuses on a core activity of securing business opportunities in trade, joint venturing and foreign direct investment. The concept of our display ties in closely with the overall theme of Expo Shanghai 2010 and allows us to ingeniously focus on the many business opportunities available in our major metropolitan areas by highlighting through striking photographic images, visuals and text the many strengths and competitive advantages of Trinidad and Tobago to potential investors, business partners and members of the visiting public.
The T&T booth is laid out in the form of a pan, with a large open central area with smaller semi-enclosed spaces radiating outward. There are three circular illuminated cut-outs in the floor with graphic imagery and photos depicting Innovative People, Investment Opportunities and Island Paradise. The most striking features of the exhibition space are five sweeping curved walls or “pillars”, which contain information on the major urban centers of the nation – Port of Spain, Arima/Sangre Grande, Chaguanas, Scarborough and San Fernando - and these speak to the overall Expo 2010 theme ‘Better City, Better Life’. The walls behind each pillar portray elements of the country’s cultural, economic and industrial life through large, descriptive photographs spanning the entire length of each wall.
MTI will be participating in Expo Shanghai 2010 for the full six months and six MTI staff members will be going to Shanghai to work in the Trinidad and Tobago booth, one every month. MTI staff members, starting with Janice Parris at the end of April, will be joining representatives from Eteck, THA and BDC to form the T&T teams who will be manning the T&T booth.
For further information on Expo Shanghai 2010, you can visit the official website at http://en.expo2010.cn/ or contact MTI’s Donna De Four at extension 2107.
Entrance to T&T's Booth in Expo Shanghai 2010
Overhead shot of T&T's Booth in CARICOM Pavilion
Shanghai 2010 Mascot
No comments:
Post a Comment