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Hopeful executives flood fair opening

By Ma Lie (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-06 13:54

XI'AN: More than 5,000 business executives from across the globe flocked to the opening of a major trade fair in the city yesterday in search of new opportunities during the financial turmoil.

Organizers of the 13th East-West China Cooperation and Investment Trade Fair are expecting 201 delegations from 44 countries through its doors before they close on Wednesday.

Czech jewelry trader Pavel Veleslavina was one of those who traveled to the Shaanxi provincial capital in the hope of forging new ties. He told China Daily: "Despite the financial crisis, China is strong in both economic development and investment cooperation. The Czech Republic has a good investment climate, cheaper labor and hi-tech technicians; we hope Chinese partners will want to invest in our country."

It is the first year Veleslavina's homeland has set up a display hall at the fair, joining fellow exhibitors France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Romania, Austria and the United States.

Jing Junhai, deputy director of the organizing committee and deputy governor of Shaanxi, said the fair's six halls boasted 2,600 displays promoting joint ventures in tourism, culture, science and technology, patented technology, equipment manufacturing and environmental protection.

"There was some pressure on organizers for this year's event due to the economic crisis, but we hope it is a good opportunity to help companies at home and abroad to overcome the current difficulties," added Yao Chaoying, an executive committee member.

Sponsored by seven State committees and ministries, as well as 28 governments in provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, the annual fair has become a major event in Xi'an since its launch in 1997.

During the previous 12 fairs, 10,655 project contracts worth 979.5 billion yuan ($143 billion) have been signed.