The 8th China International Fair of Investment and Trade (CIFIT) will be held in eastern port city of Xiamen from Sept. 8 to 12, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Ma Xiuhong said Wednesday in Beijing.

The fair will focus on investment and coordinated regional development across the country, which is aimed at encouraging foreign enterprises to invest in central and western China and in the traditional industrial base in northeast China, Ma said at a press conference.

Trade and economic cooperation across the Taiwan Straits will also be highlighted at the annual event, which has become not only the sole nationwide economic and trade fair featuring investment promotion, but also the most important gala in Asia for international investment cooperation, Ma said.

According to her, the theme of this year's CIFIT remain to be attracting foreign investment and encouraging Chinese companies to invest overseas.

A series of high-level seminars and workshops will be organized during the fair, and some senior government officials, experts, political figures and representatives of multinationals will exchange views on encouraging cross-border direct investment and promoting common economic prosperity.

Relevant organizations and business people from more than 30 countries and regions have so far confirmed willingness for participation, including over 40 overseas associations and over 20 multinational corporations, according to the organizing committee.

Nearly 1,000 exhibition booths have been reserved ahead of schedule.

The CIFIT, sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and cosponsored by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies this year, became an annual event since 1997.

Source: Xinhua