An Expo diamond auction is set for early February in Shanghai, heralding the start of sales after authorized Expo products go to the market.

"We estimate the Expo year will trigger a wedding boom, therefore, we decided to launch Expo diamonds," an official with the management authorities of Shanghai's diamond trade said yesterday.

Gold and jade Expo products will also appear in the auction.

Meanwhile, sales of food licensed under the Expo logo are booming, with more than 180 manufacturers making 8,000 official edibles by the end of last year.

There are 638 official Expo shops in 27 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. The sales volume of licensed products has reached 3.1 billion yuan (US$439.89 million).

A promotional fair of Expo licensed products will be held from next Tuesday to Friday at the Shanghaimart.

Editor: Hu Min