Enjoying the benefits that have been achieved by urbanization is the concept the Niger Pavilion sets about imparting to visitors to Expo 2010 Shanghai.

Themed "Control of Urban Expansion and Promotion of Urban Development", the pavilion, which occupies an area of 224 square meters in the Africa Joint Pavilion, attracts more than 5,000 visitors a day.

"We expect we can receive more than 1 million visitors by the end of Shanghai Expo," said the Niger Pavilion commissioner-general Alfouja Hadji.

Niger National Day was celebrated on August 3 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the country's independence.

The celebration was attended by Zada Mariama, who is deputy secretary-general of Niger's Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and for the promotion of young entrepreneurs. Chen Gonglai, deputy commissioner-general for the Expo Shanghai 2010, also attended.

During their speeches, Mariama and Chen mentioned the excellent relations between China and Niger.

The Niger delegation to the Expo 2010 Shanghai, led by Mariama and also included by Niger's ambassador to China, Boubakar Adamou, consisted of 30 people. The participation of the cultural group Mamaki has enhanced the national day celebration and the Expo as well.

The Niger Pavilion interprets urban development within three categories: urban politics, urban economy, and urban training and education.

"We want to establish business relationships with Chinese partners and other partners from around the world," said Hadji.

Some of the country's most attractive tourism destinations are Ar, Tenere Desert, River Niger and the Park W, according to Hadji.

Occupied a land area of 1,267,000 square kilometers, Niger, with the capital of Niamey, is comprised of eight ethnic groups with a population of 14 million. Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabery and Zinder are the capitals of the seven administrative regions of the country.

At Expo 2010 Shanghai, the Niger Pavilion wants to portray its country as a place full of business potential waiting to be explored. These include leather, diversified mining resources, meat, animals, agricultural products, and art and handcrafts.

It is the third time Niger has participated in a World Expo.

"The difference between this Expo and the previous ones we participated in is the number and quality of the visitors to the pavilion, as well as our theme," said Hadji.

For more information about Niger, please visit: www.globserver.com/en/niger

www.investir-au-niger.org

email:cpiniger@intnet.ne

www.ccaian.org

email: ccaian@intnet.ne

(China Daily 08/13/2010 page)