Kenya will showcase the country's development initiatives on several fronts in the upcoming Shanghai World Expo, a Kenyan government official has said.

Ernest Chitechi from the Kenyan government's Export Promotion Council told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview that Kenya's participation in the Shanghai World Expo is intended to showcase its development initiatives.

He identified several focuses of Kenya at the exposition such as the extent to which Kenya is embracing policies that encourage sustainable development, to market Kenya as a gateway to the Eastern Africa region and therefore a prime investment destination to attract international investors through foreign direct investment and joint ventures, to sell Kenya as a tourism destination of choice in the region endowed with natural tourism variety to lure more tourists.

In addition, introducing and test-marketing new products, showcasing Kenya's social fabric through cultural presentations and dance, as well as identifying with the global community on issues of "Better City Better Life" will also be among the initiatives of Kenya.

Chitechi also said, "The Shanghai World Expo will provide a forum for economic, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges. We also believe it will serve as important platforms for displaying historical experiences and exchanging innovative ideas on sustainable development."

"This will in turn lead to better understanding of the unique circumstances that each country is able to offer and be able to learn from one another the ideas that will lead to sustainable development in the world," the official added.

With regard to the theme of the Shanghai World Expo, "Better City Better Life", Chitechi said it brings into focus the importance of taking into consideration sustainability and development of varied cultures, geographical diversity and nature when planning and developing future cities.

"In terms of scale, this (the Shanghai World Expo) is one of the biggest Expo ever organized and it is envisaged to attract more visitors close to 70 million people. Technologically we feel that the organizers have employed some of the latest technologies and taken into consideration the need to go green and be sustainable," Chitechi said.

The Shanghai World Expo is an international exposition that will take place from May 1 to October 31 this year and cover a surface of more than 5 square km in Shanghai, under its main theme of "Better City, Better Life".

(Xinhua March 23, 2010)

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