Newly appointed Executive Director of the Shanghai World Expo Unit and Commissioner General for Australia Lyndall Sachs says Australia is well on track for Expo 2010.

As readers of Australia China Connections may know, the Australian pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 is the largest investment ever made by Australia in a world exposition. It reflects not only the importance of the Australia-China relationship, but also the Government’s intention to take full advantage of the biggest world expo in history. Those readers who are residents of or travellers to Shanghai will see that we are continuing to make significant progress on the construction front. The installation of our pavilion’s special weathering steel façade is near completion and we have commenced installation of exhibition items.
We have recently completed the application  phase for pavilion recruitment, receiving over 3,700 applications for around 180 positions. Finding talented, committed and focused staff is pivotal in making Australia a ‘must-see’ pavilion and to reinforce positive messages about Australia to our visitors.
We are pleased to have received such a strong response, which included many Australians living in China.
We are developing an exciting cultural program, which will bring a wide range of Australian performers to Shanghai throughout the six months of the expo. We have finalised auditions for our resident group who will perform at the pavilion every day; we are planning a range of visiting performers, drawn from across Australia; and we are well on the way to announcing the headline acts for our national day concert on June 8, 2010. The business program, on which the Minister for Trade, Mr Simon Crean wrote earlier this year, is taking rapid shape.
On November 20, the initial expression of interest phase will conclude, and scheduling of these 200 or more events will commence. This phase has generated a strong response from each state and territory government, the project’s sponsors, and Commonwealth agencies whose portfolios are closely aligned with the program’s key industry sectors, including Austrade.
We have been grateful for input from the Australia China Council, Australia China Business Council and Austcham Shanghai for their input into the program to date. More information on Austrade’s business program events and missions will be available on Austrade’s website by the end of 2009.
In recent issues of Australia China Connections, we have outlined the 14 key industry sectors on which the business program will focus. Over the past several months we have conducted on-the-ground research in Shanghai to help us better understand how to target our messages about these areas of Australian capability. This research has shown that there are high levels of recognition and acceptance for Australia’s credentials as a constructive trade partner and our status as a popular tourist destination and education provider. We are known as a home to some of the world’s most liveable cities.
The research suggested Australia’s dynamic and innovative economy, world class education system and cutting edge research facilities, may not be as deeply understood. It is on these messages that we will place greatest emphasis in the lead up to, and during the expo. We are a smart and innovative country and we will seek all opportunities to showcase this to a Chinese audience.
For Australia, the expo theme could not be more appropriate to strengthening and broadening these perceptions. ‘Better City, Better Life’ provides an ideal starting point to showcase Australian innovation, creativity and achievement in a wide range of sectors  related to the core concepts of liveability and sustainability – areas in which Australia has a very good story to tell. We look forward to employing all aspects of our pavilion – its exhibitions, business, cultural and communications programs – to do so.
I am delighted to take on the role of Commissioner General, leading the dynamic team whose work has placed Australia in such a strong position. I look forward to joining the community of Australians who are living and working in Shanghai when our pavilion opens in May 2010. ■

For further information about Australia’s participation at the expo and to learn more about engaging in the business program, go to www.australianpavilion.com