Implementing Experts Group (IEG), a consortium of Nepali companies, has been representing Nepal in the Expo. IEG designed and constructed Nepal Pavilion after the government appointed it as the official organizer. It is now operating the show on behalf of the government. [break]
The Nepal Pavilion truly reflects the Expo´s theme of ´Better City: Better Life´. It reflects urban development taking place in Kathmandu since for the last two centuries with emphasis on rich heritage of art, culture and architecture. With the theme ´Tales of Kathmandu´, the Nepal Pavilion reflects the architecture style of the Araniko era.
"We took 500 metric tons of artistic carvings in wood, metal, stone, bricks and tiles from Nepal to build the pavilion. The entire concept, design and construction were undertaken by Nepali architects and engineers," Binayak Shah, project coordinator of IEG, told myrepublica.com.
Nepal´s participation in the Expo has been successful so far. "Nepal Pavilion has been visited by 750,000 visitors till June 1. We are receiving 25,000 visitors per day on average and more than 40,000 visitors during weekends and holidays," Shah said.
IEG expects at least seven million visitors - which is 10 percent of total Expo visitors -- to visit Nepal Pavilion during the six-month period. "Media coverage of the Expo is huge.
Nepal Pavilion has received high praises from the media and visitors. Recent opinion poll conducted by a leading Chinese language online news portal placed Nepal Pavilion among the top ten popular expo pavilions," Shah said.
According to the organizers, the Nepal Pavilion has succeeded in promoting a good image of the country with a strong message that Nepali business community can still undertake mega projects like World Expo 2010 despite decade of conflict and political instability.
"This will help make positive impact on international community´s perception toward Nepal. The expo has also been successful in giving a good impression to visitors who have not heard of Nepal previously," added Shah.
Nepal has the possibility to gain enormously from the World Expo, especially in terms of international goodwill that will enhance the overall image of the country. It will not only contribute to promote bilateral and multilateral trade and investment, but will also endorse year-long tourism promotional campaign Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
The organizers are focused on attracting more Chinese tourists and they have been distributing Chinese brochures about Nepal and its tourism destinations.
IEG had also represented Nepal at World Expo 2000 held in Hannover, Osaka Expo 1990 and Brisbane Expo 1998, among others. Its main goals are to present a good image of Nepal, relay the capability of Nepali business community, and promote Nepali art, architecture, culture, business and tourism.
Related story
Chances of rain with thunder today
_20220104162611.jpg)
