The Chinese mainland has organized schedules for industry purchasing groups to Taiwan from May to September, to help develop the island economy during global financial crisis.

"The preparations are underway and we plan to convene seven to nine purchasing groups in next five months," said Yang Yi, spokesman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office at a press conference Wednesday.

A group organized by the Mainland Association for Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Exchanges and organizations of the textile, home appliance and mineral industries would visit Taiwan on May 31, said Yang.

He said the China Video Industry Association would organize a visit of leading mainland TV producers on June 1 with planned procurement of about 2.2 billion U.S. dollars.

Also in June, tea merchants and fruit organizations would visit central and south Taiwan to inspect agricultural produce markets and discuss cooperation with local enterprises.

In September, the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives would send representatives from 11 provinces and cities, six industry associations and 13 agricultural products producers to the island.

"We want to further promote cross-strait economic cooperation in order to curb the negative influence of the economic downturn," said Yang.

"Although the mainland economy has been affected by the downturn as well, we will continue to do what we can to help Taiwan alleviate the damages caused by the crisis."

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2009)