Cross-Straits fair secures massive investment for city
The 19th Cross-Straits Fair for Economy and Trade held in Fuzhou from May 18 to 22 witnessed the signing of 145 key projects on its first day, bringing 270 billion yuan ($39 billion) to the city.
According to the event’s organizing committee, the fair attracted 2,000 enterprises from 50 countries from around the world.
The total number of projects signed at the fair was 324, involving 380 billion yuan of investment, a huge rise compared to last year.
“The 145 projects signed on the first day of the fair demonstrate investors’ confidence in Fuzhou,” said Ni Yuefeng, Party chief of Fuzhou.
“We see this opportunity as a new starting point for the ongoing Maritime Fuzhou program, aiming to make the city a hub on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
“We will carry forward some substantial approaches to create a high-quality and beneficial investment environment for businesses from home and abroad,” Ni added.
The fair has been designed to advance cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, and now it also highlights partnerships with countries and regions along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
The fair utilized the whole of its 120,000-square-meter venue, which was split into three sections: a Maritime Fuzhou show, a cross-Straits product show, and a display area for products from regions along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
Signing of key projects under the theme of Maritime Fuzhou was a highlight of the fair. These included the Chinese Shipyard Culture Town project in Fuzhou Port, with its first phase covering about 900,000 sq m and requiring 10 billion yuan of investment in wharf and warehouse construction.
Apart from the Maritime Fuzhou theme, Binhai New City was another hot topic of the fair. A key project signed for Binhai was the Fuzhou World Trade Center. With a total investment of $1.4 billion, it will be a landmark in the new area.
Indonesia, one of the key countries involved in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative, was an active participant at the fair. Fifty-two enterprises from the country showcased their infrastructure projects at the event. Exhibitors also displayed Indonesian folk dances, local specialty foods and new tourism resources at the event.
Indonesian Ambassador to China Soegeng Rahaidjo said that there is huge potential for the two countries’ cooperation in the Belt and Road framework, as Indonesia is also trying to become a “global maritime fulcrum”.