Jinan has witnessed a prosperity in the exposition industry since the start last year. According to sources with the municipal government, transactions worth 18 billion yuan (US$2 billion) were done at 40 expositions in Jinan last year, which drew over 800,000 exhibitors to the city.

The expositions, covering a wide range of sectors, including electronics, mechanisms, instruments, textiles, healthcare, architecture and real estate, generated 1.6 billion yuan (US$200 million) in revenue last year.

Domestic and overseas exposition agencies eyeing the city's potential have started branch offices in Jinan. Some have settled their headquarters in the city with their business scope covering Shandong and even the east China region. There are now 14 exhibition agencies registered in Jinan, among which 10 come from other provinces.

The city has hosted many national exhibitions, such as the Industrial Products Expo held last year, which attracted more than 1,800 exhibitors. More than 10 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) of deals were clinched on the spot.

The city will further promulgate regulations over the exposition industry by the end of this month to guarantee a healthy environment for its development. An exposition association will be set up in the city to help improve administration of the trade and an evaluation system.

(Eastday.com 03/26/2001)