More Than 4,000 Companies from 72 Countries Confirmed to Show at WCIF

-- News Conference for the expansion and cooperation of the 14th Western China International Fair held in Chengdu

CHENGDU, China, Oct. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 11, a news conference on the expansion and cooperation of the 14th Western China International Fair (WCIF) convened in Chengdu. Wu Xiankui, deputy director of the 14th WCIF Organizing Committee and deputy secretary-general of the People's Government of Sichuan Province, briefed Sichuan's opening up and cooperation and preparations for the 14th WCIF. Du Junjun, rotating chairman of the 14th WCIF and deputy director of the Department of Commerce of Yunnan Province, introduced the preparations of the Yunnan delegation for the 14th WCIF. Jia Guoyong, deputy director of the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, Mu Xinhai, secretary-general of the Secretariat of the 14th WCIF Organizing Committee and director of Sichuan Bureau of Expo Affairs were present at the news conference and answered questions. Hao Yuenan, inspector of the Publicity Department of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee chaired the news conference. Directors of Sichuan Development and Reform Commission, Department of Commerce, Sichuan Provincial Office of Foreign Affairs, Sichuan Provincial Investment Promotion Bureau, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Sichuan Council and correspondents all attended, totaling more than 90 participants in the meeting.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131014/CN96713 )

Organized by the Sichuan Bureau of Expo Affairs, the 14th WCIF will convene in Chengdu from October 23 to 27. The event is themed, "building new regional cooperation layout, activating new vitality for western development." The number of sponsors of the WCIF has increased to 16, with participation by the Ministry of Culture. So far, seven countries will send dignitaries to the fair, and three former foreign dignitaries, 25 minister-level officials, nine directors of international organizations and eight ambassadors to China will attend the 14th WCIF. Main leaders of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), United Nations Procurement Division (UNPD) and other UN organizations will be present at the fair and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will purchase goods at the fair.

The total exhibition area will reach 180,000 square meters, including 120,000 square meters of indoors exhibition area. More than 4,000 companies from 72 countries and regions, 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps will take part in the fair, a 31 percent increase in terms of the countries and regions present. The exhibitors include 1,720 overseas enterprises, taking an exhibition area of 48,300 square meters, accounting for 43 percent and 40.2 percent of the total, respectively. 53 economic and trade programs are planned, including eight important events and 45 special programs. Of that, 27 international events will be convened, accounting for 51 percent of the total, higher than the previous sessions (39 percent in the 13th WCIF).