With the long-awaited regional free trade area in effect since January, the China-ASEAN Expo underway in Nanning has attracted yet more businesspeople as it offers a range of new opportunities this year.

The six-day event will center on development of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) and promotion of favorable trade and investment policies for companies in member nations.

Following the theme "CAFTA and new opportunities", the expo includes a range of high-level forums on finance, agriculture, brand management and trade association cooperation.

In addition to traditional exhibits for commodities, investment and technology, this year's expo has a new sector for services covering finance, logistics and education.

The first-ever jewelry exhibition is also scheduled to be held.

To facilitate entry of more ASEAN brands in the Chinese market, special exhibition areas are set aside for renowned food and furniture enterprises.

More purchasers

Domestic buyers include those from Shanghai, Shandong, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Hebei, Jiangsu and Fujian along with counterparts from ASEAN members and France, Canada, Germany, Australia and Japan.

The organizing committee said a total of 60 organizations from across the globe have purchasing groups attending the event.

Among the large organizations represented are the United Nations Procurement Division, World Food Program, the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Children's Fund and the China Association for Promoting United Nations Procurement.

The number of buying groups from ASEAN members is expected to increase by 50 percent over last year.

Participants in the expo also include business giants IBM, Haier and Bright Food.

Another highlight is the Taiwan pavilion in the city of Yulin, also in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the first pavilion outside the main venues in Nanning.

Hundreds of entrepreneurs from Taiwan will display products and compare notes with other participants at city's two concurrent events - a small and medium-sized enterprises expo and an annual conference on the economy and IT applications.

According to the organizing committee, this year's session will also expand opportunities for investment.

Investment promotional organizations from the 10 ASEAN members are set to hold various promotional activities during the six-day event.

Members of 150 media outlets from China, ASEAN and other countries and regions are covering the event.

Online information is also available for those who unable to visit the venue in person.

(China Daily October 19, 2010)