The conceptual design of Moldova’s pavilion at the Milan World Exposition will become known on June 9. It will be chosen out of 12 projects accepted for the second stage of the contest announced in March. At the first stage, there were presented 30 projects. Those who went through to the second stage can be seen at the exhibitions center Moldexpo until June 9, IPN reports.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said the Milan World Exposition, set for May 1 – October 31, 2015, represents an opportunity for Moldova. “We will be at the third experience of the kind. Moldova took part in the exhibitions in Germany’s Hanover in 2000 and in China’s Shanghai in 2010. But the thematic of the Milan exhibit is closer to Moldova’s traditions, history and culture,” he stated.

The theme chosen for the 2015 Milan Universal Exposition is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. It will further develop themes introduced in earlier Expos, with a principal focus on the right to healthy, secure and sufficient food for all the world’s inhabitants.

Italian Ambassador to Moldova Enrico Nunziata said that by taking part in the Milan World Expo, Moldova will be able to increase its exports of agrifood products and to attract investments to agriculture and to the economy in general.

The area that will be occupied by the Expo 2015 site is of about 1.7 million square meters. The event will bring together 175 countries, while the program will include 7,000 cultural and scientific activities. The exhibit is expected to be visited by 29 million people.