Source with the Shanghai Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Commission said Wednesday that municipal authorities are planning a series of events including road shows and overseas promotions to make Shanghai more competitive during bidding.

"Publicity will be used to let people around the world learn more about Shanghai," said the source.

Shanghai's rivals are Argentina, Poland and the Republic of Korea.

Vice-Mayor Feng Guoqin will lead representatives from more than 70 Shanghai companies to the show from September 1-11 in Strasbourg, France.

In a 1,700-square-metre area, textiles, garments, electronics and local food will be on display.

During the expo, a series of shows on city landscape, folk art, and business will be held.

"Visitors will learn more about the city beyond the Western-style buildings on the Bund and the shopping malls on Nanjing Road, which will strengthen our bid to host the world show," said Yu Hai, a local trade analyst.

Shanghai successfully hosted the Fortune Global forum last year, bringing it into the global spotlight. It will host the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum in 2001.

Analysts said the show could help expand Shanghai's exports to the European Union.

The EU has been an important trade partner with Shanghai. Two-way trade was US$2.755 billion in the first four months of the year, up more than 60 per cent from the same period last year. Major trading items include integrated circuits, electronics and home appliances.

Analysts were optimistic that Shanghai can increase textile and garment exports to the EU after China is admitted to the World Trade Organization.

(People’s Daily)