Burma participates in China-ASEAN trade fair

by Myo Gyi
Tuesday, 20 October 2009 20:31

Ruili (Mizzima) – Burma is showcasing its products at the 6th China-ASEAN trade fair, which opened in China today.

The five-day trade fair was inaugurated in Nanning today. The exhibition has over 4,600 booths.

Myanmar has booked about 30 exhibition booths mainly showcasing furniture, fish, noodles, gem stones, jewellery and some embroidery,” a gemstone and gem artefacts trader at the trade fair told Mizzima.

Burmese businessmen and entrepreneurs from Rangoon and Mandalay arrived in Guangxi Province by air.

“The sale is not brisk. Though we can sell some gemstones the trade fair is not crowded like last year,” the trader said.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang-led foreign dignitaries including ASEAN General Secretary Surim Pitsuwan and ASEAN state leaders, SPDC (Burmese junta) Secretary 1 Lt. Gen. Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and SPDC Economics and Commerce Minister Brig. Gen. Tin Naing Thein.

Apart from Chinese businessmen and traders from ASEAN countries, agents of companies and organizations from the US, France and India are also participating.

According to the Chinese media, the trade value between China and ASEAN was USD 231.1 billion last year, which rose by 14 per cent over the previous year. The trade value this year up to April touched USD 54.8 billion.

The trade value between China and Burma was USD 2.626 billion last year and the Chinese export value to Burma touched USD 1.987 billion.

According to the Chinese media, the China-ASEAN free trade zone will be opened in Nanning on New Year’s Day. It is expected to be a vast free trade zone by 2015.