Mayor Han Zheng (right) shakes hands with Italian Prime Minister Prodi

Italy decided to build a splendid pavilion, even better than its classical constructions, for World Expo 2010 Shanghai, Italian Prime Minister Prodi said when he met with Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng yesterday.

Prodi presented a book of classical Italian constructions to Han, saying that the Italy Pavilion in Expo 2010 would be "better than these." The construction project will soon be opened for bidding.

Prodi said he was amazed by the large scale blueprint Shanghai has made for the 2010 World Expo and admired the efficient organization work. He is the first foreign leader to visit the Expo site.

During the meeting with Han Zheng, Prodi said Italy and China should jointly accelerate the development of the logistics industry and expand sea routes to Europe through Italian ports.

Prodi noted that his trip to Shanghai was to highlight economic, trade, cultural and educational cooperation, strengthen Shanghai's role as an access for Italian businesses to the Chinese markets and at the same time enhance Italy's part in serving as a gateway to the European market for Chinese businesses.

According to latest statistics, Italy has directly invested in 341 projects in Shanghai, with a total contractual investment of 403 million U.S. dollars, covering garments, bags, auto parts and building materials.

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