East China Fair adds Belt and Road session

This year's East China Import and Export Commodity Fair, which kicks off Friday, will see a new matchmaking session for companies in Belt and Road countries in addition to the three conducted at last year's event.

The 29th fair, which runs until Monday, has attracted over 4,000 companies, including more than 500 overseas enterprises. It will cover 126,500 square meters, an increase of 2,900 square meters from last year, and boast 5,868 standard booths, organizers said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The East China Fair has always been committed to the development of China's import and export trade platform and to actively promoting the development of China's foreign trade," said Shi Chen, deputy director of the Trade Development Office of the Shanghai Commerce Commission.

The consumer goods sector will set up 1,185 booths, 76 more than last year, indicating China's consumer goods sector continues to develop amid strong competitive pressure in global markets, organizers said.

The Belt and Road matchmaking session is in addition to the three held last year — Europe and America, textiles and clothing, and Japan.

Amid a complex external environment and increasing uncertainties in the global economy, the ECF has buckled down to provide a better environment for exhibitors and help companies develop.

The fair is supported by the Ministry of Commerce and is co-sponsored by nine provinces and cities, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces as well as Shanghai, Nanjing and Ningbo cities.

Last year's ECF saw 22,311 foreign business visitors from 109 countries and regions, with trade volume amounting to about US$2.32 billion.

To attract more participation this year, the fair has been widely promoted on international websites, including search engines Google, Bing and Yandex, social media such as Facebook and specialized platforms such as Expo Promoter and Trade India.

And promotional conferences were held in major markets and emerging markets such as Japan, South Korea and South Africa.