Walmart Announces USA National Pavilion Partnership At Shanghai World Expo 2010U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Encourages U.S. Companies to Participate BEIJING, July 16, 2009 – Walmart announced today that it has become a Pavilion Partner of the USA National Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. The announcement was made at Walmart’s flagship “High Efficiency” store in Beijing with the participation and support of U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who is on his first visit to China since being appointed by President Obama. Ed Chan, President & CEO of Walmart China, remarked, “Walmart is delighted to partner with the USA Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010 and to have the support of Secretary Locke. The Expo theme of ‘Better City, Better Life’ is aligned with Walmart’s mission of helping people save money so they can live better, and embodied in the company’s longstanding commitment to China and the communities around the world where we do business. We are especially excited about the USA Pavilion’s “sustainability” theme, because at Walmart, we believe that being an efficient and profitable business goes hand in hand with being a good steward of the environment.” Walmart’s support of the USA Pavilion will include cash and in-kind commitments and provide the company an exclusive opportunity to share its efforts to bring high quality, high value and a sustainable approach with the 70 million visitors from China and around the world expected to attend. “Last week, the United States confirmed its participation in the Expo, and today we are celebrating a significant new development -- Walmart’s partnership with the USA Pavilion,” Locke said. “It is important to see Walmart and other leading American companies embrace this effort. Their support will help ensure that our National Pavilion will offer all who visit it an unforgettable experience and make America proud.” Locke personally congratulated Walmart for its participation during a visit to its high-efficiency flagship store. “This eco-friendly site showcases the way American energy efficiency technologies, from companies like Honeywell, Copeland-Emerson, Carrier and Otis, can reduce the environmental impact of a large retail store. It’s a good example of Walmart’s willingness to lead by example.” The Walmart High Efficiency flagship store incorporates a series of solutions that are delivering an annualized 23.28 percent electricity saving and 16.85 percent water saving with a payback period of 2.56 years using a 2005 baseline. The annual energy savings of 1,396,800 kWh is enough electricity to power 349 homes for a full year. USA National Pavilion Co-Chair Ellen R. Eliasoph remarked, “We are thrilled to have the support of Walmart, whose commitment and approach to sustainability are a model for companies around the world. We look forward to working with Walmart to showcase its unique contributions in this area.” In addition to Secretary Locke, Chinese government officials from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Commerce as well as representatives of companies Honeywell, Copeland-Emerson, Carrier and Otis, participated in the announcement and showed their support. ### About the World Expo and USA Pavilion At over 60,000 square feet (6000 square meters), the USA National Pavilion will be one of the largest national pavilions at the Expo. It will showcase American culture, values, innovation and business in China’s most dynamic city, while celebrating the friendship and cooperation between the U.S. and China. In accordance with U.S. legal requirements, the USA Pavilion is being operated through a non-profit organization. The entity, Shanghai Expo 2010 Inc., is co-chaired by Ellen R. Eliasoph and Nick S. Winslow. The U.S. Department of State is prohibited by U.S. federal law from spending appropriated funds in international expositions. Therefore, U.S. private sector participation is essential to raise the necessary funds to design, build and operate the USA About Walmart in China About Walmart Ed. Note: Walmart is the legal trade name of the corporation. The name "Walmart," expressed as one word and without punctuation, is a trademark of the company and is used analogously to describe the company and its stores. Use the trade name when it is necessary to identify the legal entity, such as when reporting financial results, litigation or corporate governance. |
