The Third China Agricultural Trade Fair, which is to be held from October 17 to 21 in Beijing, will set up a special business zone for Taiwan-made farm produce, according to the preparatory committee of the fair.

Establishment of the zone for Taiwan-made farm produce will be "A shining point of the current session," said Niu Dun, vice-minister of Agriculture and director of the preparatory committee.

Niu did not disclose the space of the zone and details of preparations.

The establishment of the business zone and the decision to open market to 18 Taiwan's tropical fruits are part of a series of measures to increase cross-Strait agricultural cooperation.

On May 3, Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, announced the mainland's decision to expand access of Taiwan fruits from 12 to 18 species, and offer zero tariff on at least 10 fruits.

To date, the mainland has completed necessary preparations for importing 10 types of Taiwan fruits under zero tariff and pledged to provide every convenience for custom clearance, product inspection and quarantine of Taiwan fruits to be sold on the mainland.

The second China Agricultural Trade Fair, held last year, snatched contracts worth 20 billion yuan (2.4 billion US dollars).More than 1,000 domestic and overseas companies brought their products to the fair, which attracted 10,000 domestic buyers and 400 overseas businessmen. The fair, sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, is expected to be held once a year.

Source: Xinhua