The China International Fair for Investment and Trade is playing a pivotal role in building a bridge between Taiwan and its neighbor in Xiamen, the leading city of the Western Straits Economic Zone.

"Given that investment is bound up with economic development, the promotion conference builds bridges and provides opportunities for all stakeholders," said Zhang Canmin, Xiamen's deputy mayor.

Zhang stressed that the 16th CIFIT will strive to meet the expectations of investors. China Central Television will join the Ministry of Commerce in welcoming attendees, including State leaders, politicians, leaders of international organizations, economists, investors, and entrepreneurs, to build a new 2012 International Investment Forum.

Discussions will be conducted on topics such as restructuring the value chain, finding new sources of economic growth, holding high-level exchanges among BRICS nations and promoting a new industrial revolution.

Attendees will also discuss mergers and acquisitions as well as the transformation of the development mode, international capital flows and equity investment.

It is estimated that more than 70,000 participants from more than 120 countries and regions are going to join the discussion and exchange views at the forum.

Meanwhile, a series of international and multilateral economic and trade discussion will be held, with the fair acting as the catalyst of international investment and cooperation. For this forum, a newly built Xiamen international conference and exhibition center with an area of more than 90,000 square meters will be put into use.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn

(HK Edition 09/08/2012 page7)