Zhanjiang convention for investment kicks off

The first session of the China (Guangdong)-ASEAN Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, intended to promote investment, will be held in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, from April 10 to 12, according to Liu Xiaojie, deputy secretary-general of the provincial government.

Guests to the event include Chinese entrepreneurs in members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, officials of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, provincial and city government officials and domestic entrepreneurs, Liu said on Monday.

Imports and exports between Guangdong and ASEAN stood at $92.3 billion last year. By February of this year, actual utilized investment from ASEAN members into Guangdong had reached $10.8 billion. Guangdong businesses have set up nearly 300 enterprises in ASEAN, said Chen Yuehua, deputy director of the provincial Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Trade between Zhanjiang and ASEAN surged about 50 percent to $4.3 billion last year, said Zhao Zhihui, vice-mayor of Zhanjiang.