He said Russia has sound trade ties with China's three northeastern provinces (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning). "We need to import clothes, fur, food and shoes from China, while China needs our oil, gas, timber and chemical products," said Mr. Palkin. "But one little defect is that Russia's mechanical and electrical export to China is very limited. We hope to promote such exports to China. That is also one of our important purposes of attending the trade fair."

Nations slated to each host a business day include Russia, South Korea, Belarus, Japan and Canada.

This year's Harbin Trade Fair also attracted many guests from the European Union. It is the second time the Netherlands AgriBusiness Support Office (in Harbin) has attended the fair. It represents 45 Netherlands companies, most of which are agriculture-related.

Its Chief Representative Erik Baudoin said that his major responsibility is to promote the agricultural and animal husbandry cooperation between China and the Netherlands, especially in terms of dairy product production. "We have nearly 10 support offices in China, two of which, in Kunming and Harbin, are agricultural-oriented. Several years ago, after thorough research, we found out Heilongjiang's raw milk production accounts for one half of the whole China. Then we immediately decided to establish a support office in Harbin to promote bilateral dairy cooperation."

"The Netherlands is a big agricultural country; while Heilongjiang is a big agricultural province," Baudoin said. "We believe the cooperation will be a huge success."

Esko Riepula, a guest from Finland, is also deeply impressed by Harbin. "I came here one and a half years ago for the international ice festival in Harbin. The city was very beautiful at that time. This year, I came here with the Finland delegation in the hope of getting to know the trade and investment environment in China through such a big event and to find out any possible cooperation opportunities."

Domestic traders' expectation

Domestic traders viewed the fair as another chance to showcase their products to the public and an opportunity to get in contact with potential foreign purchasers.

Jiang Jizhong, Deputy Director of Department of Commerce under Heilongjiang State Farms Bureau, had high expectation on the fair. The bureau is also known to the public as Heilongjiang Beidahuang Nongken Group Co., a major holder of the A-share market listed company called Beidahuang Group, the No. 1 agriculture-related listed company. The company has attended the fair since the very beginning.

He said the fair provided his company with an opportunity to promote products in front of residents of the whole province, as well as guests from different countries. "It is a very important platform for companies like us," Jiang said. Though Beidahuang did not sign many contracts with buyers on the spot, Jiang believed the effect of Harbin Trade Fair has a time lag. "We usually get lots of requirements after the fair is closed. Buyers interested in our products will contact us afterwards, leaving them enough time to investigate into our products," Jiang said, adding that buyers did not have to rush to strike any agreements during the fair.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the Harbin Municipal Government and the provincial governments of Heilongjiang and Zhejiang, the fair has invited top transnational corporations and purchasing professionals.