Businesspeople from Africa and Quzhou reach 28 prospective trade agreements worth a total of $51.6 million during one-hour negotiation session at the 2019 China (Quzhou)-Africa International Fair on Sept 6. [Photo/qz123.com]

The 2019 China (Quzhou)-Africa International Fair for Trade and Investment took place in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on Sept 6.

The fair focused on deepening economic cooperation between China and Africa and constructing Quzhou into a garden city. Guests and businesspeople from 18 African countries, including Senegal, Nigeria, and Angola, were in attendance.

Attendees carried out exchanges with Quzhou companies involved in agricultural and mining machines, home appliances, electronic instruments, home building materials, and e-commerce.

During a one-hour negotiation session, 28 prospective trade agreements worth a total of $51.6 million were reached, over 10 of which focused on skill training, R&D and investment in Africa.

"I've been enjoying a strong partnership with a Quzhou company for the past year," said an African businessman named Alex, "face-to-face negotiations help familiarize me with the projects."

After listening to the introduction of the potential projects in Nigeria, Zheng Hong, general manager of Quzhou Tiandi Hat Industry Co, holds that Africa boasts a huge market with a great development potential and she would never miss the opportunity.

The fair is an important part of the city's efforts to strengthen its economic and trade relationship with African countries and regions, officials said.

In recent years, Quzhou has enjoyed close ties with many African countries and regions. The annual import-export volume between Quzhou and African countries ballooned 73.9 percent in 2017 when the fair was launched, and 23.7 percent in 2018.