Kathmandu, January 8:

Nepal is set to participate in “World Expositions 2010 Shanghai”. The exposition will start from May 1 and go on till October 31, 2010. The number of confirmed participants, till date, is 229 nations and international groups, according to the organisers.

Speaking at a programme, Chinese ambassador to Nepal Qui Guohong said, “With the theme — Tales of Kathmandu City: seeking the soul of a city, explorations and speculation — Nepal’s pavilion will make history in search of the soul of the mystical city of Kathmandu and capture it as a centre of art, architecture and cultural excellence.”

He added, “Good City, Good Life is the main theme of the expo. The Nepalese presentation will highlight efforts to protect environment and renewal energy and also present green architecture as the way of the future architectural direction.”

The expected turnout at the expo covering an area of 5.28 sq km is 70 million. Implementing Experts’ Group (IEG) is the official organiser from Nepal.

“Production of artistic materials has already begun here and expert Nepalese craftsmen will travel to the Shanghai Expo site to erect the national pavilion of Nepal,”said Guohong.