Belgian official says Shanghai Expo will boost global economy

    As the global economy is slowing down and most developed economies plunged into a recession, there is a concern that the Shanghai Expo will lose its attraction for the reason that presence at the exhibition makes less economic sense at the difficult times.

    But Delcroix disagreed.

    "I do not think so. I think especially in times of economic and financial difficulties you have to take new initiatives," he said.

    "The Shanghai Expo can be a very good opportunity for western companies and Belgian companies to prove what they can do."

    Delcroix said those companies struggling with the economic woes should use the Shanghai Expo as a chance both to get out of the current trouble and to catch up with the next growth cycle.

    "They have to use the opportunity to overcome the problems of the financial crisis," he said.

    "And I think also it will be after one year and a half that the world economy will recover," at the moment when the Shanghai Expo is taking place, said the Belgian official

    The Shanghai Expo is due to be opened on May 1, 2010 and lasts six months under the theme "better city, better life" to explore the full potential of urban life in the 21st century.

    China has been expecting 200 participants at the exhibition, which is estimated to draw some 70 million visitors.

    So far, 230 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation, a sign of the world's undeterred interest in the event.

    On the same day, when addressing members of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Delcroix introduced the opportunities that the Shanghai Expo would offer to Belgian companies.

    He said in terms of both participants and visitors, the Shanghai Expo will be a record-setting event and a rare chance for Belgium to promote itself to China, a robust market in the world.

    With 473 days to go, Belgium is busy preparing its big show at the event.

    The Belgium pavilion, which occupies 5,000 square meters, is scheduled to start its construction in April and to be completed by the year end.

    Delcroix said his country will present itself as the "capital" of the European Union, aiming to establish itself as a favorite European destination for Chinese investments and Chinese tourists.

    "By 2020, China will be the forth largest tourist outflowing country in the world," he said.

    On how to win the Chinese people's favor by making the Belgian pavilion special at the Shanghai Expo, the former Belgian minister of defense said Belgium has its secret weapons -- world-famous chocolates and beers.