************************************************************
Hong Kong's sponsorship drive for the SAR's participation in the World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China has so far netted more than $38 million, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, said today (March 19).
Mr Tang, who was visiting Shanghai today to check on the progress of preparations, said sponsorship in cash and kind had been received from over 20 companies.
"We thank our sponsors for enthusiastically supporting Hong Kong's Expo programme and for joining hands with the government to make our presence at Expo a great success," said Mr Tang.
"The additional resources that have been donated in the various sponsorship packages will be used to enhance Hong Kong's presence in this mega event and encourage more community participation. The sponsorship drive will continue and I look forward to more companies taking part."
Meanwhile, Mr Tang said during his visit to Shanghai today that Hong Kong's Expo preparations were on track and proceeding at full speed for testing and commissioning by mid-April.
He said fitting out works and installation of exhibits were well advanced at the Hong Kong Pavilion as well as Hong Kong's exhibition at the Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA) under the theme "Smart Cardˇ¤Smart Cityˇ¤Smart Life". Production of short films and souvenirs were also making good progress.
"We are entering a critical period of implementation work and our teams are all working extremely hard to make sure that everything is ready by mid-April," he said.
"We will have about one month before we test and commission both the Pavilion and the UBPA exhibition so they are ready to welcome the large crowds when Expo opens on May 1. We are confident that we will create a unique Hong Kong experience for those visiting our exhibitions."
The major Expo sponsorships approved so far by the Steering Committee for HKSAR's Participation in Shanghai Expo 2010, chaired by Mr Tang, are:
Diamond Sponsors ($5 million or above)
Cathay Pacific Airways
NWS Holdings Ltd
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd
Platinum Sponsors ($3 million or above)
Hong Kong International Airport
Shui On Land Ltd
The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong
Gold Sponsors ($1 million or above)
3D-GOLD Jewellery
Bank of Communications Co., Ltd
Central Development Ltd
Chun Wo Development Holdings Ltd
MTR Corporation
Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai
Sino Group
Silver Sponsors ($500,000 or above)
Chow Sang Sang Holdings International Ltd
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd
New World China Land (Shanghai)
Sa Sa International Holdings Ltd
Bronze Sponsors ($100,000 or above)
JCBN Advertising Co. Ltd
Nuance-Watson (HK) Ltd
Prince Jewellery and Watch Company
Shanghai Art Museum
The Dragon Foundation
Ends/Friday, March 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:01
NNNN
Windows Media format
Real Media format