The Shanghai World Expo Executive Committee on Sunday called on the Obama administration to help with the US pavilion that faces difficulties in fund-raising.

Wan Jifei, deputy director of the committee and president of China Chamber of International Commerce, said "the problem (of fund-raising) will be solved if the Obama administration gives enough attention and attaches importance to it."

Wan, also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body, made the remarks on the sidelines of the annual CPPCC session.

He said the US team had made a verbal confirmation in participating the Expo, but has yet to confirm in written form.

The US pavilion is 100 percent private funded and the US organizers admitted they face difficulties in raising US$60 million for the building and operation of the Pavilion.

Franklin L. Lavin, co-chairman of the steering committee of the US pavilion, said last month "we are on the path of success," but admitted it was not possible to guarantee success.

The World Expo 2010, with the theme of "Better City, Better Life", is due to be held from May 1 to October 31 next year and expected to attract 70 million visitors.

Altogether 185 countries and 46 international organizations have confirmed to attend the Expo as of February 18.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2009)