Shanghai Expo Industry Rapidly Rebounds in Second Half Year

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, June 20, 2003

Shanghai Expo Industry Rapidly Rebounds in Second Half Year

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Although many events were canceled or postponed due to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the exposition industry is fighting its way back to Shanghai, China's biggest commercial and economic center.

Local officials announced Friday that 177 events are on Shanghai's agenda in the second half of the year, almost one expo a day, an increase of 64 over the second half of 2002.

"Shanghai is safe for expositions now that SARS is under effective control here," said Pan Longqing, director of the Shanghai Foreign Economic Relations and Trade Commission.

"However, event organizers are still required to maintain disinfection and other stringent SARS prevention measures," Pan said, adding that anyone entering sites must have their temperature checked first.

Of the 177 fairs, 66 were postponed due to the outbreak of SARSfrom the first half of the year, with the other 111 originally planned in the second half.

The fairs will feature bicycles, furniture, fashion, villas, outdoor sports and financial services, among others.

Fifty-nine multinationals such as Wal-Mart, Carrefour, GE and GM have registered to attend the 2003 International Sourcing Conference Shanghai, which is to be held this July, officials said.

Analysts believe the expo industry will continue to thrive in Shanghai and lift China's eastern metropolis to international center stage after Shanghai winning the bid last year to host the 2010 World Expo.

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