Present there were Vice-Premier Kang Sok Ju, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, officials in the field of foreign trade, delegations of different countries and regions, diplomatic envoys of different countries and embassy officials here.

An opening address was made by Pak Ung Sik, director of the Korean International Exhibition Corporation, to be followed by a congratulatory speech by O Ryong Chol, vice-minister of Foreign Trade.

The speakers said the opening of the fair was a manifestation of humankind's aspiration and desire to achieve common development and prosperity, opposed to aggression and plunder, domination and subjugation.

They expressed hope that the participants in the fair would achieve good successes through wide-ranging contacts and positive trade.

They reiterated the will to boost bilateral and multilateral cooperation with various countries and regions of the world in the fields of the economy and foreign trade on the principle of equality and mutual benefit in the days ahead.

At the end of the ceremony, the participants looked round products presented by companies of the DPRK, Germany, Malaysia, Mongolia, Switzerland, Singapore, Australia, Italy, Indonesia, China, Poland and Taipei of China.

The fair will run through May 16.