One of the most important meetings of the 23rd Harbin Trade Fair, “China-Latin American and Caribbean Business Seminar” was held at the New Paris International Conference Center.

In recent years, Heilongjiang has broadened co-operations on foreign commerce with Latin American countries. The trade volume has increased greatly. This seminar will strengthen communications between Heilongjiang Province and Latin America and the Caribbean. It integrates all its advantages in resource, explores the advantages of complementary point, develops economic and trade cooperation and achieves mutual benefits and a win-win situation. It strives for boosting development on this base.

It is known in 2007, that the trade volume between Heilongjiang and Latin America was 0.35 billion dollars while in 2008, it increased to 0.88 billion dollars. In 2009, the trade volume was still 0.83 billion dollars although affected by the financial crisis. In the same period, foreign trade of Heilongjiang Province went down. In 2012, import and export value to Latin America increased intensely. It achieves 1.44 billion dollars, increasing 72.9% than that in the same period. Export value is 0.66 billion dollars, increasing 88.6% than that of the same period. It imports 0.79 billion dollars, increasing 61.7% than that of the same period. In 2011, affected by the weak euro-zone economy, volume of imports and exports of Latin America waved. Total value of imports and exports to Latin America is 0.135 billion dollars, decreasing 6.2% than that of the same period; Exports were 0.82 billion dollars increasing 25.2% while imports were 0.53 billion dollars, decreasing 32.4%. Due to the debt crisis and the international economic situation in Europe, in the first 4 months of 2012, trade volume of imports and exports tended to decrease. With the implements of steady increases from the Central Government, it is expected the trade situation between Heilongjiang and Latin America may be improved.