'US decision on Expo by April-end'

SHANGHAI: The United States has made a breakthrough in its attempts to raise funds for its pavilion at the 2010 World Expo and could commit to the event by the end of this month, said organizers in the city on Friday.

Huang Jianzhi, deputy director-general for the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination (BSWEC), told reporters at a press conference the US had finalized its conceptual design and was expected to make a "clear move" soon.

He did not elaborate as to what kind of breakthrough the non-profit, non-governmental organization charged with finding cash for the pavilion had made.