More than 900,000 people participated in the four-day Second China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair, which closed yesterday with trade deals worth more than 10 billion yuan (US$1.25 billion) being signed, according to the organizing committee of the ICIF.

Both the number of participants and the trade volume greatly surpassed the figures from the first cultural fair held two years ago. The first ICIF, attended by 477,000 people, saw a trade volume of 3.4 billion yuan.

The second fair was also more export-oriented, according to the organizing committee. While the first fair mainly focused on the domestic market, about 2 billion yuan of contracts at this year's fair was signed with organizations from foreign countries, including the United States, South Africa and Finland.

To facilitate the export of quality cultural products, showrooms will soon open in Malaysia and Hong Kong to showcase some items displayed at the second ICIF for potential foreign buyers, said the committee.

The fair has displayed the glamour of Chinese culture, and promoted the development of the cultural industry in China, said Chen Wei, director general of Shenzhen's cultural bureau.

According to Shenzhen Vice Mayor Yan Xiaopei, a well-known professional fair takes time to nurture. However, the city has shown its resolution to make this mega cultural event an exceptional one.

(Shenzhen Daily May 22, 2006)