A 45-member contingent from Fiji, consisting of business people, government officials and tourism stakeholders, will travel to China's Shanghai for the World Expo in May.

National Co-ordinating Committee (NCC) Commissioner General Annie Rogers said on Friday that the committee was now calling for Expressions of Interest for uniform designs from interested textile designers to design and manage the production of uniforms for the 45-member delegation.

"Submissions are to be provided to the Office of the Commissioner General (Fiji) by today (Friday)," she said.

"The NCC continues to encourage companies to support Fiji's participation in the Shanghai World Expo 2010," she said.

"Expo preparations are well underway to ensure that the Fiji Pod is well prepared and ready for the Shanghai World Expo 2010."

She added their advertisements have drawn positive responses.

Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau has urged businesses to participate in the May event. Products to be displayed at the expo will be shipped out by February.

"We can display as many products as we can but we are only allowed to sell five products, which must be 100 percent sourced from within Fiji," Rogers said. The five products are noni, pearls, handicrafts, body products and Fiji Water.

Other products expected to be on display during the expo are furniture, beche-de-mer, Fiji liquor, sugar, yaqona and shoes, among others.

An investment seminar is also planned during the expo.

The team from Fiji aims to not only raise awareness of Fiji- made products but also attract investors to Fijian shores.

By Friday, 15 companies have expressed interest in having products exhibited at the Shanghai Expo.

(Xinhua February 26, 2010)