The 22nd Pyongyang spring international trade fair opened on May 20, the Korean news agency KCNA said.
More than 450 companies of Korea, China, Russia, Pakistan, Poland and "some other countries and regions" brought their products to the fair, making this year’s fair the biggest scale since Up to now, according to an analysis of the Korean news site NK News based on official information from North Korea.
Last year, 260 companies attended the Korean spring fair. Among the companies attending the fair this year were at least 216 Chinese businesses, according to NK News ’s analysis .
“Those numbers show a trend that we have seen recently about China’s genuine interest in promoting opportunities to do business with Korea, although technically not many activities can be implemented. due to sanctions, ”Oliver Hotham, court secretary, compiled the NK News page .
Speaking at the opening of the fair, North Korean officials said it was an opportunity to promote economic, trade and scientific-technological exchanges with participating countries, KCNA said.
Sanctions against North Korea prohibit all forms of joint ventures and most of the business with Korea. But some foreign businesses said they were only preparing for the Korean phase to lift sanctions.
KCNA said the products brought to the show this year include "metals, electronics, etc., machinery, construction materials, transportation, health, light industry, food and consumer goods" .
Photos taken by Korean state media and trade fair participants posted on social networks showing images of medical devices, flat-screen TVs, bags, cashew machines Air conditioning and heating, clothes, kitchen utensils, Korean brand cars, and other goods.
“There are many industries, domestic products and imported goods. Most of the participants are from China, ”wrote British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks on Twitter.
Photos posted by the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang on Facebook showed that Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora took pictures beside Russian pharmaceutical products.
Since last year, Korean leader Kim Jong Un has carried out many diplomatic efforts so that Korean sanctions are lifted and he can develop the economy. Under this young leader, North Korea witnessed the rise of the private market and consumerism, but the country still faces tight political and economic controls.
After the second summit between Mr. Kim and US President Donald Trump ended at the end of February without any agreement, North Korea became increasingly uncomfortable with the deadlock.
In a commentary published on the first page of the May 20 issue, the Korean ruling party newspaper said sanctions were designed to push North Korea into the extreme economic landscape. The article also calls on Koreans not to depend on lifting sanctions.
International aid organizations warn of recent droughts and a shortage of production tools that may cause many Koreans to suffer from food shortages this year.
