South China's Guangdong Province will host a trade fair from June 18 to 20 to help foreign-funded businesses cope with the economic downturn, a provincial official said on Monday.

The downturn has taken a toll on foreign-funded companies in China's "Factory of the World," said Wu Jun, deputy director of the Guangdong Provincial Foreign Trade Bureau.

The fair, the first of its kind, will provide about 2,500 booths free for businesses selling appliances, consumer electronics, toys, food, kitchen ware, clothing and construction materials.

More than 1,000 companies have applied to attend the fair in Dongguan, Guangdong. Organizers will offer free hotels and meals for the exhibitors and buyers.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2009)