Visitors check out exhibits at the 20th East China Fair in Shanghai yesterday. The value of transactions sealed at the fair, which closed yesterday, jumped 21.95 percent from last year to US$2.73 billion.

MORE deals were clinched at the 20th East China Fair, the country's largest regional trade fair, which ended yesterday in Shanghai due to a growing number of visitors from emerging markets and bigger buyers from traditional markets.

The rise in deals reflected a gradual recovery in global trade from the economic slowdown, and the fair also displayed high-tech and innovative products made by Chinese producers, reflecting their efforts to export more value-added goods, organizers said.

The value of transactions sealed at the fair, where more than 20,000 new products were displayed, jumped 21.95 percent from last year to US$2.73 billion, driven by purchases of apparel and decorative products.

"China is trying hard to transform its economic growth pattern and raise the quality of its exports. We can observe a clear trend at this fair that Chinese producers have incorporated more technology into their products and making them more environmentally friendly." said officials of the Shanghai Commission of Commerce.

More than 19,000 visitors from 123 countries and regions attended the fair this year, 800 more than last year. Many of the new visitors were from emerging markets such as India and Pakistan. United States visitors fell 25.3 percent from a year ago, but those who came bought more as they sealed a 17.7 percent jump in deals from last year.

Tony Yang, sales manager at Jinda Group which produces tools, including nail clippers, key holders and knives, said the firm was satisfied with its debut at the fair and would take part next year.

Yang said, "We reached a couple of deals, one of which is with an Indian buyer, a new market for us."