Zhejiang Export Fair (Serbia) opened in the European country on May 24 for the second consecutive year, aiming to boost trade between Serbia and China's Zhejiang province, to create new export opportunities and help deepen the overall economic cooperation between the two countries.

The three-day fair opened at the Belmax Centre in Belgrade with the participation of representatives of the Serbian government, the Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Embassy in Serbia and the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang province.

Chen Cui, general manager of the Zhejiang Broad International Convention and Exhibition Co Ltd, said that the aim of the fair is to enable Serbian companies to get to know Zhejiang better and to communicate with its companies to find opportunities for cooperation that would also boost trade, cultural exchange, tourism and other areas.

Noting increased cooperation between Serbia and China in recent years, and Serbia's significance as a transport hub that connects Europe and Asia, she said that Serbia's development "constantly creates new space for cooperation with China -- from infrastructural projects to steel industry, information technologies and many other areas."

"We hope that the representatives of the participating companies will be able to engage in exchange with local companies, to establish cooperation and achieve results, as well as that quality goods from Zhejiang will bring new vitality and strength to the development of Serbia," she said.

Until May 26, the fair will present products of around 50 companies, offering construction equipment, white ware, electrical and home appliances, machines and tools, electrical equipment as well as other goods of Zhejiang.

Tomislav Nikolic, president of the National Council for coordination with Russia and China, said that the fair is a great opportunity for Serbian businessmen to get to know Zhejiang, a "province that, according to a proverb, produces all that is needed".

He suggested that instead of just trading, companies should also consider investing into production in Serbia.

Li Manchang, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia, said that the good bilateral cooperation enabled the growth of every area of cooperation between the two countries, and thanked the Zhejiang province for organizing the fair.

He concluded that Serbia has quality goods and products that could find their place in the enormous Chinese market, inviting Chinese companies to invest here, as well as Serbian companies to participate in the first China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai in November this year.