Albania will show its history, culture and economic development to the outside world at the upcoming Shanghai Expo, a senior official said on Wednesday.

"We will use the event to show that Albania has a rich culture to show and big opportunities to offer," Viola Puci, representative of the Albanian delegation to the Shanghai Expo and executive director of Albinvest Agency, told Xinhua.

The Shanghai Expo, which is to kick off on May 1 and will last six months, would become Albania's maiden trip to such a big world event, Puci said.

"It will be a great honor to be part of such a big expo, and it is the first time for Albania to participate in such a big event," she said.

She thanked China, the host country, for providing financial assistance to Albania, which helps Albania show itself to the outside world.

The Albanian pavilion at the Shanghai Expo will show, among other things, the history, culture and the economic development Albania has achieved in the past years, she added.

"The theme of the Albanian pavilion is to show that Albania is growing and is ready to attract investment from the outside world," she said.

Albania will celebrate its national day on May 5, which will "feature a performance of Albanian folk songs and dances," Puci said.

(Xinhua April 8, 2010)