Each developing country will be provided at least one exhibition hall free of charge at the Shanghai World Expo scheduled to take place in 2010.

The proposal was part of a package of plans published on Wednesday by the Chinese government with the purpose of attracting more exhibitors to the world expo.

Foreign nationals who work at the Shanghai World Expo for its duration will be exempt from income tax. Exhibitors will be exempt from tariffs, value-added import tax and consumption tax on certain foodstuffs.

One of the organisers, Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), will also be exempt from income tax and will be entitled to two percent of ticket revenues.

Hua Junduo, the government's representative-in-chief for the Shanghai World Expo, said the plans reflected the sincerity of the government and would make it easier for other countries and international organizations to enter the Chinese market via the expo.

The first exhibitors conference of China Shanghai World Expo 2010 opened here on Wednesday with organizers saying they would provide developed nations and international organizations with more than 500 patches, each with an area of 500 sq m, to design and build exhibition booths according to their needs.

Expo organizers will finance construction of 324-sq-m halls in which developing countries could stage exhibitions. In special cases, one developing nation could apply for an extra hall free of charge.

The organizers will also construct three types of hall for rent at a rate of 3,900 to 4,100 yuan per sq m for the six-month expo.

The organizers added they had been working on detailed guidelines regarding intellectual property protection during the Shanghai World Expo.

China is hoping to attract 200 countries and international organizations to the Shanghai World Expo, making it the largest ever.

A total of 94 countries and international organizations had applied to attend the Shanghai world expo by Nov. 8.

Source: Xinhua