Asia has never before been so important for the global economy. Asian countries seem to be overcoming the financial crisis faster than other regions of the world and business is picking up again. As dynamism returns to the continent, Asia could become the growth driver of the world economy. Shanghai, at least, can count on the World Fair. People are already talking about the greatest Expo of all times. Expo 2010 is going to be a record-breaking event. That is already certain. It has taken the sacrifice of an entire district of the city: 18,000 families had to be relocated. The country is playing its biggest trump card: a growth market with potential for more growth. That is why many are looking nervously to this vast country, prime among them the German trade fair organisers. It seems legislation is being drafted that could put a damper on their local activities: China is one of their key foreign markets. Meanwhile other Asian countries are looking to get a bigger share of the trade fair business. Korea is banking on new venues while Thailand has to rebuild lost confidence and entice back alarmed organisers and their customers.
Christiane Appel