"The Taipei Flora Expo is an event that would require more effort that just the Taipei City government's. With the help and resources of 20 other local governments, the expo will once again make Taiwan proud, " said Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin at the signing ceremony that was attended by top-level local government officials.

For the first time, Taiwan will host a category A2B1 world exposition, having been commissioned by the Netherlands-based International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) to do so.

Taipei will be the seventh city in Asia to host international members of the horticultural industry.

According to Hau, the 2010 expo will attract over 8 million visitors from home and abroad and a total investment of NT$3.529 billion. The expo will create a minimum NT$16.8 billion (US$ 516 million) in revenue, which will also benefit Taiwan's tourism and travel industry and economic development, he added.

During the 171-day event from Nov.6 2010 to April 25, 2001, a different participating country or city will be featured each week, focusing on its flora, food delicacies, agricultural products and tourist attractions, Hau said. The expo will also include performances by local schools and groups that would display Taiwan's vibrant and diverse culture. According to Hau, residents of each participating city or county will be entitled to discounts for admission to the fair.

Featuring a theme of "Flower, River, New Horizon, " the Taipei Expo will include 14 unique pavilions that will focus on flora and horticulture, culture and arts, environmental ecology and pioneering technology, the mayor said.

(By Rachel Chan)