Present at the opening ceremony were Vice-Premier Ri Ryong Nam, Minister of External Economic Relations Kim Yong Jae, Vice-Chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee Kim In Chol, officials in the fields of economy and trade, delegations of different countries and regions and diplomatic envoys and staff members of foreign embassies here.

Pak Ung Sik, manager of the Korean International Exhibition Corporation, made an opening address which was followed by a congratulatory speech by O Ryong Chol, vice-minister of External Economic Relations.

Speakers said the trade fair would offer a good opportunity for promoting friendship among countries and boosting the multilateral economic and trade dealings, investment and scientific and technological exchanges.

They expressed the will to expand the economic relations with different countries of the world and steadily develop bilateral and multifaceted cooperation on the principle of equality and mutual benefit.

At the end of the ceremony the participants looked round products presented by companies of the DPRK, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, China, Thailand, Iran, Indonesia, Vietnam, Germany, Russia, Italy, Cuba, New Zealand, Australia and Taipei of China.

The fair will last till Thursday.