30 Japan firms eyeing participation in trade fair in N. Korea

Asian Economic News, Feb 12, 2001

TOKYO, Feb. 6 Kyodo

About 30 Japanese companies, including trading houses and machinery makers, are considering participation in an international trade fair to be held in Pyongyang in May, the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper reported Tuesday.

The East Asia Trade Research Board, a group of some 50 Japanese companies serving as a window for trade with North Korea, is soliciting participants in the May 7-10 Pyongyang International Trade Fair 2001, the paper said.

A maker of industrial-use sewing machines has already expressed its intention to take part in the fair, while trading houses and makers related to projects to improve infrastructure, such as steel, construction and energy, are showing strong interest in the fair, it said.

Demand for high-performance Japanese-made sewing machines is strong in North Korea as makers there are importing textiles from Japan and sewing them for Japanese clothing companies.

The North Korean government held an international trade fair in Pyongyang for the first time last year. Japanese companies did not participate, citing a short period of preparation.