Despite the huge distance, more than 70 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) firms are seeking partners at the second Northeast Asia Investment and Trade expo.

 

In the Exhibition Hall of Changchun International Exhibition Center, ASEAN firms' booths exhibiting native products, such as rosewood furniture, shell gift items and seafood, were surrounded by curious visitors.

 

"We have found a new and promising market in northeast China. Our products are very popular here and our samples have almost sold out," said Benjamin Kalalo, managing director of the Philippine Exporters Confederation and co-chairman of the Philippine trade group.

 

According to Benjamin Kalalo, 15 Philippine enterprises are taking part in the expo with 20 booths displaying traditional products like houseware, accessories, wood and shell gift items.

 

"It's my second time at the expo. Many other companies from the Philippines would like to do business in the vast northeast market, which offers us new opportunities," he said.

 

Taking advantage of geographical proximity, ASEAN enterprises have built up long-standing economic relations with their counterparts in southern China and targeted the China-ASEAN Expo held in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

 

"This expo has opened another window for us in the Chinese market," said Daw Htay Kywe, head of the Myanmar trade group.

 

Enterprises from Myanmar occupied three exhibition booths at the trade expo. Many visitors showed keen interest in their furniture and jade accessories and some Chinese business people had volunteered to act as agents for them, according to Daw Htay Kywe.

 

Besides expanding their business territory, the ASEAN firms were also hunting for Chinese partners to develop new technology.

 

He has another mission at the expo apart from promoting Philippine products, and he wants to find some clean energy equipment developers in China, as he knew China has mature solar and wind energy technologies, and he need them in the Philippines, said Benjamin Kalalo.

 

The Philippine businessman said he was very interested in the solar products of Shanghai-based Roy Solar Co. and Shenzhen-based Topway Solar Co. and was hoping to fly to the two cities after the expo to discuss cooperation opportunities.

 

More than 40,000 officials and company representatives from 51 countries and regions are taking part in the five-day Northeast Asia Trade and Investment Expo, which opened Saturday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province. The event is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and Jilin Provincial Commercial Department.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2006)