Pyongyang, October 19 (KCNA) -- The number of foreign businesses participating in the 7th Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair is higher than last year.

A section chief of the Korean International Exhibition Corporation, Kim Chol Myong, told KCNA:

The current fair draws more than 260 businesses from abroad.

It is noticeable that many companies from European nations are taking part in the fair.

Among them are eight companies from France, which has no diplomatic relations with the DPRK.

Chinese companies account for more than half of foreign participants.

Many of them came from Dandong and Yanbian and other areas near to Korea.

In the fair, foreign businessmen are seeking economic exchange with the DPRK, interested in its economic development.

In two days after the opening of the fair, about 30 foreign businesses signed agreements on economic joint venture and collaboration with local companies.

It shows that many foreign enterprises are investing in the DPRK in a far-sighted manner.

The fair, opened on Monday, will close on Thursday.