Feb. 18, 2009 (China Knowledge) - The 19th East China Fair will take place at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Center from Mar. 1 to Mar. 5.

The fair, supported by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, will provide 5,312 booths for the display of garments, home textiles, accessories and gifts, and consumer products. It will also be a venue for negotiations on processing trade, joint venture business and other forms of economic and trade cooperation.

The organizer expects the number of visitors to edge down to 16,000 this year, due to the economic slowdown.

This will be the 19th annual East China Fair. The total contract value hit US$3.68 billion in the 18th East China Fair, which was attended by over 30,000 domestic clients and 19,000 businessmen from over 145 countries.