BEIJING, March 1 -- Despite fund raising problems, officials of the U.S. Pavilion for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 say they are confident they will break ground to build a national pavilion on schedule this April.

    Soundbite: Franklin L. Lavin, co-chairman of the Steering Committee of the U.S. Pavilion of the Shanghai Expo, said " But we are on the path of success, if we continue on the same path we will be successful. So I' m confident."

    The building will cost 60 million U.S. dollars and is entirely privately funded.

    The organization has had problems getting companies to help pay construction costs during the global financial crisis.

    Soundbite: Franklin L. Lavin, co-chairman of the Steering Committee of the U.S. Pavilion of the Shanghai Expo, said: "I think just as the Beijing Olympics was the most successful Olympics in the history, I think the Shanghai Exposition will be the most successful Exposition in the history. This would be a historical event that will attract a large number of people. So it's very important for the U.S. companies and U.S. institutions to show their very best to the people of China and in the world."

    The Shanghai World Expo, due to be held from May 1 to Oct. 31 next year, is expected to attract 70 million visitors.

    Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hong Kong.

    (Source: XHTV)