Business people from home and abroad are ready to attend the 18th Harbin Fair. [Tu Lei/chinadaily.com.cn]

　　China Harbin International Fair for Trade and Economic Cooperation, which opened today in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has attracted a record high number of participants, according to its organizing committee.

　　Up to now, around 10,000 overseas businesspeople from about 80 countries and regions and 100,000 domestic participants have registered for the event. Some 322 of the Global 500 companies attended it, including GE, IBM, DuPont, Ford and B&Q.

　　It's the first time for businesspeople from Bulgaria, Slovak, Holland and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to attend the Harbin fair. Eng, Ventsislav Peychev, a sweets producer from Bulgaria, said, "The trade between China and Bulgaria has developed so quickly in recent years, and I believe this show can help us expand our presence in China."

　　The exhibition booths in this five-day fair amount to 2,000, up 20 percent compared with last year's fair, and the exhibition area covers 76,000 square meters. The fair is expected to see over US$90 billion worth transactions, according to the organizing committee.

　　The fair has 10 professional halls, some of which demonstrate projects and achievements in old industrial bases in Northeast China and Harbin-Daqing-Qiqihar Industry Corridor. And the dimension of green food hall expands 20 percent compared with the previous fair.

　　As one of the largest international fairs in the nation, it has been playing a significant role in developing economic exchanges in Northeast Asia and with other countries worldwide.

　　The Bulgaria stands in China Harbin International Fair for Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Harbin City, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on June 15, 2007. [Tu Lei/chinadaily.com.cn]

　　Since the first session of the fair was held in 1990, the annual Harbin fair has been successfully held for 17 consecutive years, with an average 60 countries and regions participating every year.

　　The fair is sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and Northeast China Revitalization Office of the State Council, as well as the China Council for Promotion of International Trade, the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province, the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, and the People's Government of Harbin Municipality.

　　Harbin realized a GDP of 209.4 billion yuan (US$27.4 billion) in 2006, up 13.5 percent year on year, and its per capita GDP was 21,374 yuan, a year-on-year growth of 12.7 percent.

　　Harbin has had trade relations with more than 100 countries and regions. And around 3,000 enterprises run by foreigners are in Harbin.

　　The Japan's corner in China Harbin International Fair for Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Harbin City, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on June 15, 2007. [Tu Lei/chinadaily.com.cn]

　　Outdoor boothes of China Harbin International Fair for Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Harbin City, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on June 15, 2007. [Tu Lei/chinadaily.com.cn]