In a meeting with Albert Speer, president of Germany-based Albert Speer & Partner (AS&P), here Wednesday, Acting Mayor Chen Liangyu said Shanghai will solicit tenders from overseas investors for the renovation of some industrial zones and invite them to manage the zones.

He said Shanghai wishes to apply international standards in the planning and management of its industrial zones, most of which were built in the 1980s and 1990s and call for renovation.

During the meeting, Chen also briefed the German guests on Shanghai's major urban construction plans and its bid to host the World Expo 2010.

"The forthcoming large-scale construction in Shanghai will bring more business opportunities for both domestic and overseas companies," he said. "Competition will be tough, and Shanghai will attract much attention from the world."

AS&P is Germany's leading city planner and designer. Last year, it drew up a plan for Shanghai's "international auto city", a unique development zone to attract the world's top automakers and dealers.

(People's Daily January 31, 2002)