T&T BOOTH GETS UNDERWAY AT SHANGHAI 2010

The Trinidad & Tobago Exhibition at World Expo Shanghai 2010 is moving ahead speedily, gearing up for the grand opening on Saturday May 1^st. The 320 square metre booth is strategically located right at the entrance to the CARICOM pavilion, which is itself part of the overall Americas Square, which also includes pavilions of North America, Canada and various Latin American nations.

Designed by architect Darren Braithwaite of the University of Trinidad and Tobago, the modern, stylish booth in shades of grey, white and red with hints of black was designed to avoid the traditional island theme of palm trees and thatched roofs and definitely makes a statement about this country's status as a business, energy and industrial powerhouse.

The T&T booth is laid out in the form of a pan, with a large open central area with smaller semi-enclosed spaces radiating outward. There are three circular illuminated cut-outs in the floor with graphic imagery and photos depicting Innovative People, Investment Opportunities and Island Paradise. The most striking features of the exhibition space are five sweeping curved walls or “pillars”, which contain information on the major urban centers of the nation – Port of Spain, Arima/Sangre Grande, Chaguanas, Scarborough and San Fernando - and these speak to the overall Expo 2010 theme ‘Better City, Better Life’. The walls behind each pillar portray elements of the country’s cultural, economic and industrial life through large, descriptive photographs spanning the entire length of each wall.

At the booth entrance is an Information kiosk where activities such as product sales, promotional item giveaways and information services will be provided. Across from the Info Booth is a theatre and entertainment area where local films and music videos will be shown. The booth also contains a business or VIP area where visitors interested in learning more about investment and tourism opportunities will be hosted.

Inside the Exhibition area will be:

o Three interactive kiosks on which visitors will be able to obtain information on Trinidad & Tobago in Chinese and English

o Carnival costumes displayed on mannequins

o The Evolution of Pan exhibit featuring a solo pan player who will perform daily

o 3D display model of Port of Spain

o Brochures in both English & Chinese

o Two product display units

o One electronic display board on which product logos may be displayed as well as the promotion of special events at the Exhibition

The Trinidad & Tobago Exhibition at World Expo Shanghai 2010 will be staffed by six representatives from some of the following agencies:

o Evolving TecKnologies & Enterprise Development Company (eTecK)

o Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI)

o Tourism Development Company (TDC)

o Tobago House of Assembly (THA)

o Business Development Company (BDC)

o Trinidad & Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI)

o Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, London

Through the Financial Assistance Agreement for CARICOM from the Chinese Government, there will be at least one Chinese staff member in the Trinidad & Tobago Exhibition and one with accounting skills who will be shared throughout the CARICOM Pavilion for assistance with reconciling of product sales.

eTecK, as National Coordinator for the Trinidad & Tobago Exhibition will act as the liaison for Head Office operations in Trinidad & Tobago, the CARICOM Secretariat and the World Expo Organisers. They will be responsible for activities including overall management of the Exhibition, special events schedule, staff accommodation, banking activities, business activity schedule, etc.

- END -

---

For further information, contact:

Corporate Communications Specialist

Ministry of Trade & Industry

Level 16, Nicholas Tower ● 63-65 Independence Square ● Port of Spain.

Tel: (868) 623-2931 x. 2026/17 ● Fax: (868) 627-0002

Email: tcarr@tradeind.gov.tt ● Website: www.tradeind.gov.tt