PYONGYANG, August 22 (Itar-Tass) — Over 100 companies from different countries take part in an international trade fair staged at the exhibition hall in North Korea’s special economic zone in Rason, in the northeast of the country. Delegations from Russia, China, Sweden, Taiwan, and the Czech Republic take part besides the host country.
The exhibition is aimed at the establishment of useful contacts for commercial and trade activity, scientific and technological exchanges among different states and regions. It demonstrates products of light, electronic, pharmaceutical and car industries, food products as well as household appliances.
Russia is presented by the Primorskaya Soya company from Ussuriisk. Although North Korea and the United States have no diplomatic relations, an American businessman has arrived in Rason to sell textile products.
According to the organizing committee of the trade fair, the most numerous delegation has arrived from China – North Korea’s main ally as well as trade and economic partner.
Pyongyang has paid much attention to Rason zone of late, expecting to make it the leading trade centre in Northeast Asia. Rason is situated in the north-eastern part of North Korea and borders on China’s Jilin province and Russia’s Primorye.
The third session of the Chinese-North Korean committee for joint exploration and management of Rason Economic and Trade Zone and the Hwanggumphyong and Wihwa Islands Economic Zone on the border between the two countries was held in Beijing in mid-August.
At a meeting with the North Korean delegation, Chinese Chairman Hu Jintao marked “visible success the two countries have achieved in the development of economic cooperation, trade and investments”.
He also expressed hope that the sides “will actively look for new means of cooperation, and boost work on the exploration of two economic zones”.
North Korea’s cooperation with Russia is very important for the development of Rason. In April 2008, the two countries signed an agreement on the implementation of the Hasan-Rajin joint project.
It envisages reconstruction of a 54-kilometer-long railway section, which is to be completed this year, the construction of a cargo terminal in Rajin, the main port of Rason economic zone, as well as the future operation of infrastructure.