NCC to build Sweden's pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hannover

NCC to build Sweden's pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hannover NCC's German subsidiary, NCC Siab, has been commissioned to build the Swedish pavilion for the World Exposition in Hannover, Expo 2000 which will open on June 1, 2000 and close on October 31 the same year. The Exposition's theme is "Man, Nature and Technology" and it is expected to attract about 40 million visitors from all parts of the world. In accordance with the agreement between NCC and the Swedish National Committee for EXPO 2000 HANNOVER, NCC will build and then lease out 2,000 square meters of exhibition premises and 3,000 square meters of land on the pavilion site. In contrast to previous world expositions, which were largely built specifically for exhibition purposes and then demolished or dismounted, EXPO 2000 will be held at the existing trades fair area in Hannover and on a completely new site directly adjacent to the current trades fair area. According to the arrangers of EXPO 2000, the new exhibition area is to built in order to create a product that can continue to be used following the close of Expo 200, for such applications as: * a multipurpose arena * a sports center * a furniture center * a clothing and textiles center * an entertainment center Hannover is a fast-growing region. A traditional trades fair city, Hannover is an excellent marketing site in view of its central location in both Germany and the rest of the EU and Central European market. Since Expo 2000's attitudes to the reuse of resources also match NCC's own quality and environmental views, NCC has decided to enter into the project as a real estate investor and as the owner of the Swedish pavilion property during the world exposition. NCC will also be responsible for technical operations and maintenance during the exhibition period. Following the close of Expo 2000, NCC plans to use the premises, in cooperation with other interested parties, as a shop window for Swedish business operations, under the slogan: "Bauen, Wohnen und Leben" ("build, reside and live"). NCC's first activity in the German market involved the building of residential properties at Berlin-Brandenburg. Subsequently, operations have expanded to include Hannover, where NCC is currently building row houses on a proprietary basis, in cooperation with IKEA and a local property broker organization. "We believe it is important that Sweden's construction-related industries gain exposure in the German market and we hope that Expo 2000 will serve as a catalyst for this. Our increased exposure in Hannover will further strengthen our position in the German market," says Kurt Nordgren, President of NCC's German operations. For further information, please contact Kurt Nordgren, President, NCC Bau,, tel: +49 17 17 272 147 (mobil) or +49 33 61 67 04 88 Ingemar Tungel, responsible for overseas operations within NCC Housing, tel: 08-655 18 61 or 070-652 22 42 Lars Liljegren, Information Manager, NCC Housing, tel: 08-655 19 51 or 010-211 16 37. . ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/11/17/19981117BIT00180/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/11/17/19981117BIT00180/bit0002.pdf