SA to wow world at Shanghai expo

Speaking at the opening of the pavilion on Thursday, 6 May 2010, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said South Africa will make use of the opportunity to demonstrate how far the country has progressed in its development efforts and to share lessons about its successes.

According to the minister, it is also an opportunity to change perceptions in China about Africa in general and South Africa in particular.

“South Africa's time has come. It's time to come and trade with South Africa. It's time to come and visit South Africa to experience its modern infrastructure. And it also time to come to our beautiful country and come and see the Big 5 in our game parks.”

Also speaking at the event, consul-general of South Africa to Shanghai Vika Khumalo said they will use the expo to also highlight specific investment opportunities for interested investors in some of South Africa's pillar industries including agro-processing, beneficiated metals and mining, electro-technical as well as bio-fuels and alternative energy.

“For Chinese companies, South Africa offers a stable political and economic environment in which to invest and build a business on the African continent,” he said, inviting enterprises of all sizes to visit the pavilion and learn more about the potential market awaiting them in South Africa.

The theme for the Shanghai World Expo is "Better City, Better Life" and features major exhibitions that look at modern and future urban life, and consider issues such as sustainable development and the interaction between cities and the environment.

More than 400 000 visitors are expected to see the Expo's pavilions and to get a glimpse inside.

The first World Exposition or World's Fair was held in London in 1851. The event, or "Great Exhibition" as it was called, was the first to showcase manufactured products.

The Shanghai 2010 World Expo runs until the end of October.