The 6th Pyongyang International Science and Technology Book Fair is expected to contribute to world prosperity, said an official at the event's opening ceremony Monday in the capital city of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Mun Jae Chol, acting Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, said the exhibition would increase understanding and confidence and strengthen cooperation between countries.

"As we were in the age of information, science and technology would decide the future of a nation," Mun added. "The exhibition would contribute to the exchange of achievements in science and technology between countries and to the co-development and prosperity of the world."

Over 30 publishers from more than 10 countries and international organizations, including China, Russia, Mongolia, Germany, Indonesia and UNESCO, were exhibiting book s on IT, nanotechnology, electronics, gene engineering, environment and ecology.

The book fair, first in 2000, will close Wednesday. During the exhibition, the fair organizers will hold lectures to introduce up-to-date scientific and technological achievements.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2008)