(source: Ethiopian Press Agency    Reporter: Aregu Balleh)

Culture and Tourism Minister, Ambassador Mohammud Dirir said Ethiopia's participation in the Expo 2010 Shanghai, China, is a unique opportunity to promote its historical, cultural heritages; trade and investment to the rest of the world.

In a joint press briefing organized by the Ministry, which is also coordinator of the national steering committee for the organization of Ethiopia's participation, and the Chinese embassy in Ethiopia, the Minister emphasized that Ethiopia's participation in the expo goes beyond expressing a gesture of friendly relationship. “It is also, by and large, promoting Ethiopia and making use of the big market,” the Minister added.

The Expo will be held May 1 - October 31, 2010 under the theme: “Better City, Better Life” . Ethiopia, which has built its own stand inside the African pavilion, has its own theme, “Blended Legacies of Cities- Ethiopian Experience”.

According to Ambassador Mohammud, the theme chosen by Ethiopia and which basically is a derivative of the world Expo theme symbolizes Ethiopian cities where people of different religious beliefs and different social classes live peacefully.

The Ethiopian stand is built to exhibit among its ancient architectural heritage registered in UNESCO's World Heritage list, the Harar (Jugol) Islamic walled city and the 12th century rock hewn churches of Lalibela- both symbolizing the peaceful coexistence of diversity of people and beliefs. Lucy's upright standing original cast walking through Ethiopia's ancient, natural and man-made world heritage site will also be exhibited.

Coffee ceremony, live handcrafts, dress waving, cultural music and dance will also taken place at the Ethiopian pavilion. In the aftermath of the Expo, there are wider opportunities for Ethiopia to attract foreign investors and widen its export markets.

State Minister, Mohamuda Gaas noted that Ethiopia's National Day on September 2010 will focus on the Ethio-Chinese trade and investment forum. The forum will highlight the success stories of Chinese investors in Ethiopia while inviting others to follow suit.

Chinese Embassy Charge' d' affairs wei Hongtian on the occasion expressed his belief that the Expo will show a unique and united Ethiopia and African Continent for the whole world and the activities of the Ethiopian delegation in the expo will boost up trade relations and attract more investors from China and the world.

The year 2010 also marks the 40th anniversary of Ethio-China diplomatic relations, which is a mile stone in the history of Sino-Africa relations, according to the charge' d' affairs.

Meanwhile, five documentary films produced with the objective of promoting Ethiopia's image at the expo were delivered by the international NGO Children's Home Society and Family Services

to, Ambassador Mahamoud.

The 2010 Shanghai Expo will bring the total number of Ethiopia's participation at similar events since 1967 to six.