URUMQI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- A dozen Caribbean countries, including Jamaica and Haiti, participated in the 5th China-Eurasia Expo, for the first time in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Several African countries such as Angola and Zimbabwe, as well as industry and trade departments of various international organizations were also first-timers at this year's event, which was held from Tuesday to Sunday.
Eustace Lake, Minister of Works and Housing for Antigua and Barbuda, said he valued the opportunity to "build relationships and seek potential trade partners," and hoped to persuade participants that Antigua and Barbuda, located in the core of the Caribbean, was a perfect choice for investors.
The minister attended several trade meetings, discussing housing and infrastructure development in his country. He said that by establishing new business in Antigua and Barbuda, a company could gain greater influence in the United States, Latin America and the whole Caribbean area.
Peter Mathuki, a member of parliament for the East African Legislative Assembly, which also participated in the expo for the first time, outlined the broad prospects of investing in Africa's energy sector.
He said East Africa had vast renewable energy resources, but their potential was far from being fully tapped. He hoped to use the expo to bring back advanced clean energy technology to ensure a brighter future for the region.
Delegates from 57 countries and regions, and six global organizations were present at the event, alongside 3,500 professional purchasers, organizers said.
