CETRA to send DIY hardware, building materials trade mission to mainland

Taipei, July 24, 2003 (CENS)--To strive for sales opportunities from 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the China External Trade Development Council (CETRA) will dispatch 2003 DIY Hardware, Building Materials trade mission to mainland China in September.

During its stay in mainland China, the trade mission would visit Tianjin, Shenzhen, and Shanghai to solicit sales opportunities in these major cities, ranking CETRA officials said yesterday.

In 2002, CETRA dispatched short term market surveyors to visit seven large-sized hypermarts in Tianjin. With a total procurement amount of US$125 million per year, the procurement departments of these hypermarts were interested in Taiwan-made porcelains, hardware, air tools, paints, locks, sanitary, and household products.

The trade mission will negotiate with the above large sized hypermarts in Tianjin.

Of 37 major arenas for 2008 Olympic Games, 32 will be built in Beijing. To this end, Beijing will invest a total of 180 billion renminbi in relevant infrastructure constructions within next few years.

In the 142 important construction projects, the building materials have represented up to one third, or 60 billion renminbi. This may offer huge trade opportunities for the building materials makers.