Dear Friends，

Good morning. We are gathered here today for the opening ceremony of the 6th International Retailers’ Sourcing Fair & China Sourcing Convention. First of all, on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, I would like to extend congratulations on the opening of the Fair and my warm welcome to all the guests and friends.

The 1st IRSF held in 2002 created a model for the global marketing of made-in-China products. Over the past nine years, the IRSF has kept improving its service standards and has achieved sound economic and social effects. The IRSF does not only facilitate the connection of the two kinds of resources in the two markets, but also helps explore measures to reduce circulation costs, improve circulation efficiency, stabilize market prices and expand consumption, so as to promote the sustainable and steady development of the national economy.

Compared with previous sessions, the 6th IRSF will host more activities, including overseas sourcing matchmaking, farm-supermarket connecting, online matchmaking and procurement standards releases apart from traditional business matching and promotion events. Exhibition forms will be more diversified. Exhibition halls will be set up according to procurement requirements and product classifications; products will be pre-matched one-by-one according to the demands of overseas buyers; a personalized platform will be provided for the buyers. The main structure of buyers is changing gradually. The number of overseas buyers increased four times as compared with that in 2010, and some overseas suppliers and manufacturers were attracted to the fair.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The IRSF has provided a sound platform for suppliers and buyers in China and abroad. I hope that it could be made full use of in carrying out communication, promotion and trade for a win-win situation between suppliers and buyers.

Jiangsu Province is a major province with powerful economy in China and creates 10% of China’s GDP with only 1% of the country’s land. It has provided experience for and made contributions to China’s economic development. I believe that Jiangsu’s hosting of the IRSF will make the Fair better and better.

Finally, I would like to wish the 6th IRSF & China Sourcing Convention a great success. Thank you all.