Yu Chen, deputy secretary general of Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai, said "it is the first exhibition held by Shanghai in Cambodia, and the aim of the exhibition is to promote economic mutual stimulation between Shanghai and Cambodia."

"During the recent years Shanghai economy has made remarkable achievements and developed very rapidly. So we have taken a 'go-out strategy' to open up more foreign markets," said Fang Zurong, engineer of Trade and Market Department of Economic Commission of Shanghai Municipal People's Government.

More than 20 companies and corporations participated in the exhibition. Among them are some large and famous enterprises and famous brands, such as Shanghai Bao Steel Chemical Industry Co., Ltd, Shanghai Sunflower Import and Export Co., Ltd, Guan Sheng Yuan (Group) Company and the China Clock Factory in Shanghai.

Exhibits being displayed include motorcycles, wines, foods, time pieces, electric tools, water-proof materials, etc.

Many businessmen and people of other circles visited the exhibition and praised Shanghai's commodities, saying the exhibition will promote mutual understanding between Cambodia and China and contribute to confidence-building between Shanghai and Phnom Penh.

"Cambodia and China are complementary in economy, and there is much more room for cooperation," a Cambodian Chinese, named Chen, said.

With a more opened-up economy, more and more Chinese enterprises and companies were doing business and investing in Cambodia.

The exhibition runs from Thursday to Saturday.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2003)