Steinitz, Erdan cut ribbon at the Israeli stand in Shanghai.
By LAHAV HARKOVShanghai expo 311(photo credit: AP)
Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz inaugurated the Israeli stand at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai Thursday afternoon.The Israeli stand, which will be open until October 31, is the first one to be officially opened at the exhibition.Steinitz, along with Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan cut a ribbon at the inauguration ceremony, in which the Israeli flag was raised and Hatikva was sung. Welfare and Social Services Minister Isaac Herzog also visited the expo earlier this week.The finance minister also visited the Moroccan stand, where he told representatives that he hopes that diplomatic and economic ties between Israel and Morocco will grow stronger. Steinitz also visited the Chinese and Indian stands.RELATED:Israel impresses at Shanghai's Expo 2010The Israeli stand roused great interest from both media outlets and the large crowds of visitors. There were long lines of people eager to see Israel’s trailblazing technological achievements, and learn about its history and culture. The organizers estimated that about 3.5 million people would visit the Israeli stand during the coming months.The Israeli stand was designed by leading Tel Aviv architect Haim Dotan, whose mother was born in Shanghai.Expo 2010 has as it slogan “Better City – Better Life” and focuses on urban living in the 21st century. More than 240 participants, including countries and various global organizations, are taking part. Israel decided in 2007 that it would participate.Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
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