Present there were Vice-premier Kang Sok Ju, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Vice-chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee Kim Song Dok, Head of the DPRK Chamber of Commerce Ri Hak Gwon, foreign trade officials, delegations from other countries and regions, foreign diplomatic envoys and embassy officials here.

O Il Hun, vice-director of the Korean International Exhibition Corporation, made an opening speech. And So Kil Bok, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, made a congratulatory speech.

The speakers said that the fair play a positively role in expanding the economic relations among the nations as well as in joint venture, investment induction and science and technology exchanges.

The DPRK will, in the future, too, continue to boost bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other countries and regions in economic trade on the principle of equality and mutual benefits, they said.

Then the participants went round the exhibits from companies in the DPRK, China, Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Malaysia, Switzerland, Britain, Australia, Italy, France, Poland, Taipei of China and other countries and regions.

The fair will last till September 27.