1.Some critics asserted that because the Chinese government was deeply involved with Expo 2010 Shanghai China it was simply an exercise in propaganda. Do you agree or disagree?

I’m agree because in the last years China is trying to show itself like an open nation to the others. That’s the reason that China organized the Olympic Games in Beijing. China wants to change the perspective that the world has about it.

2. Which of the futuristic innovations described in the case are likely to be commercialized as products or services that make a “Better City, Better Life”?

The German project “passive house” is one option because you can save electricity from heat or air conditioner systems helping to reduce CO2 emissions. “Ecological toilets” that collect rainwater for flushing is a solution for a country where public sanitation is problematic.

3. Do you think that the corporate and national pavilions at Expo 2010 represent money well spent in terms of return on investment?

Not necessarily because sometimes it’s only a kind of positioning of the country on the minds of people. For example thousands of people can visit for tourism the nation that they saw in the expo but figure that they use transnational hotels and restaurants and visit public spaces like monuments, areas, parks where they don’t need to pay anything. The only incomes don’t stay in the country.

Expo Milano 2015

How was Ecuador’s Pavilion?

The pavilion covered an area of over 800 square meters, divided into three floors, where it is displayed to Ecuador as a diverse country, with its four worlds: Sierra, Costa, Oriente and Galapagos. It also had a museum space where visitors could admire an interactive exhibition, through monumental projections and 3D holograms, which exposed images of all the places of the four regions.

Furthermore, there was a space to promote the quality products offered by Ecuador to the international market like roses, cocoa, bananas and shrimp.

It has 800.000 visitors.

Which where the most attractive pavilions?

Ecuador won the prize as the most innovative pavilion.

Vatican and Azerbaijan won the prize for the expo theme: Feeding the planet, Energy for life.

What do you think will be the impact that these pavilions are looking for?

PRO ECUADOR estimated at $ 6 million sales achieved in the marketing of products through the store and restaurant pavilion. But the biggest and most significant impacts will occur in the medium term as a result of links with Italian and European importers that will result in new business opportunities according to Ministerio de Comercio Exterior’s web page.