“Shanghai 2010 News”, the newsletter issued by the Government’s Commissioner General for the Shanghai 2010 Universal Exposition, is now at its second edition. The newsletter describes what Italy is and will be doing at the Expo, an event of exceptional scope which Italy will be attending with its biggest ever representation in China. The Shanghai Expo, on the theme “Better City, Better Life”, will be taking place from 1 May to 31 October 2010. With 241 nations and international organisations taking part, and over 70 million visitors expected, the Expo looks set to be an event of extraordinary international reach. Indeed, it is expected to set records in Universal Exposition history, in terms of national participation and visitor numbers.
Italy’s newsletters contain information on the Italian regions’ participation at Expo through agreements with the Commissioner General. They also report on the boom in the number of applications in the tender for projects to be included in the Italian Pavilion, which will showcase the best of Italian innovation. 452 projects have applied, with construction and the environment the leading sectors. Lombardy tops the list, with 77 entries, followed by Lazio, Veneto and Piedmont. The southern regions are led by Campania.
Particularly noteworthy is an interview with Davide Croff, chairman of Permasteelisa, on “Italian Excellence in Designing the World’s Skyline”. In Croff’s view, “our role as partners of the Commissioner General for the Expo will give us an opportunity to experience the Italian Pavilion as key members of the team. We’ll be able to put our know-how to good use in building the external structure”.