BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – St. Kitts and Nevis is ready to welcome the world, as it makes final preparations to be represented at what may go down in history as the largest exposition in the world.
In exactly two weeks, World Expo 2010, to be staged in Shanghai, China, will group almost 200 countries and 50 international organizations together to display their products to the world. The event is held under the theme ‘Better City – Better Life’ and will run May 1 to October 31, 2010.
Over the six month period, the expo will be visited by almost 100 world leaders and over 70 million people. According to national coordinator HE Ambassador Rosalyn Hazelle, this kind of exposure is “unprecedented”.
“I am really excited about this. It gives us the perfect opportunity to present who we are now out there on the world stage. It is fantastic for us and we have even crafted our own theme for the booth: ‘The continuity of city culture: feel the passion in the city, find the romance in the village’. We will certainly provide a way for them to feel in a relaxed atmosphere whether they are in the city or in the village,” the local organizer told SKNVibes.
Ambassador Hazelle noted that through collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency and the private sector, the organizers were able to develop a booth that truly reflects the Federation’s culture.
The final design of the booth displays a replica of Brimstone Hill, the sugar cane locomotive and will highlight the history and beauty of the Circus, Romney Manor and other tourism and historical sites.
According to a post-Cabinet briefing, the booth will promote the nation’s heritage sites, the scenic railway tour, local cuisine, Music Festival, National Carnival and Culturama.
The Federation’s booth and its contingent are in “good shape” to market the nation as a beautiful and tranquil place to live, visit and invest, according to Hazelle.
The contingent has been given much Cabinet support, as the booth will highlight the strides that the Federation has made in the areas of craft, music and entertainment, agriculture and agro-processing, manufacture, tourism and the financial services sector.
“St. Kitts and Nevis is hoping to benefit tremendously through its participation. Specifically, our participation will showcase opportunities for international investors on all continents to partner with local stakeholders,” the briefing read.
Hazelle applauded Island Hopper, Brisbane productions, St. Kitts Bottling Company, Carib Brewery (St. Kitts-Nevis), DDL Bottlers of CSR and Belmont and Banker Carnival Troupe for providing material for the design of the booth and for donating giveaways.
