Approval from the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination plus a business license issued by the city's industrial and commercial authorities are vital for those intending to open restaurants or sell products at 2010 Expo pavilions.

A new rule aimed at regulating business operations of overseas delegations from official participants to the 2010 event became effective this month.

Foreign participants should register with the Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Administrative Bureau within 30 days starting from the day they acquire an approval from the Expo bureau, the rule states.

They should submit participation contracts of their countries or organizations, appointment documents of the commissioner-generals representing the country or organization's exhibition, as well as registration application documents signed by the commissioner-generals among other documents for registration.

Qualified business operators will get a business license within 10 days after the registration.

The rule also applies to participants from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.