Wang Yuanyuan
ALL booths at the main venue of the 7th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) had already been booked.
Organizers are expecting about 10,000 overseas buyers to attend the fair which will be held at 31 venues across the city from May 12 to 16.
At a meeting yesterday, Vice Mayor Wu Yihuan said it would be the biggest cultural industries fair yet, with the largest number of exhibitors and visitors.
We have made a breakthrough by inviting exhibitors from all around the world and the main venue had invited 9,025 overseas buyers from 85 countries and regions so far, she said.
A total of 1,881 representatives of governments, companies and organizations signed contracts to attend the fair, 84 more than the number last year. The main venue will be the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District.
A hall for intangible cultural heritage would be set up in the main venue for the first time, displaying traditional cultural heritage such as art, folk culture, food and medicine.
The history and achievements of the Universiade would also be displayed at the fair, Wu said.
The organizer, ICIF Co. Ltd., was in contact with cultural agencies in the European Union to organize seminars, she said.
There would be forums, auctions and art performances during the fair.
Ministers from Sri Lanka, Lithuania and Bangladesh would be attending.
Organizers have added seven subvenues this year, including Bantian Handicraft Cultural Street, and art and crafts, animation, silk, jewelry and ornamental stones would be displayed.
