Official: Expo totally going to break even or make profit

Since this news is coming from an official, take it how you will, but apparently the Shanghai World Expo is supposed to break even or even make a profit, despite costing twice as much as the Beijing Olympics. The total budget for the Expo is 28.6 billion RMB, which includes 18 billion RMB for construction and 10.6 billion for five months of running costs. The city expects to recuperate those costs through construction bonds, ticket income and sponsorships, as well as some re-exploitation of Expo land after the event (some of which will turn into low income housing). Though even if it didn't break even, the Expo would be totally worth it, Shanghai party chief Yu Zhengsheng said. "Shanghai can take a big step to settle the traffic problems of local people by holding the Expo," thanks to the 420 km of new metro track it will have installed by next April. Source: Shanghai Daily