The 3rd China-South Asia Expo, in conjunction with the 23rd China Kunming Import and Export Fair will be held in Kunming from June 12 to 16. The Expo will carry forward an objective of “promoting all-round cooperation and development between China and South Asia and Southeast Asia”, under the theme of “pursuing amity, sincerity, mutual benefits, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation”.

The expo, to be held in Kunming city, is also a part of China's Bridgeahead Construction' strategy to establish the provincial capital city and Yunnan province in the southwestern region as a gateway between the mainland and its neighbours to the south and the west.

About 150 Indian firms from diverse sectors are all set to participate in the expo. India is the partner country this year in the five-day expo comprising trade fair and brain-storming sessions on investment and trade promotion between China and South Asia, said Federation of Indian Export Organisations' (FIEO) president S.C. Ralhan on Wednesday.

The Indian exhibitors, showcasing their products and goods, will include participants from sectors such as leather handicrafts, jute, garments, gems and jewellery and spices.

As head of the Indian delegation, Ralhan will address the China-South Asia business forum at the expo on accelerating business through the silk road economic belt.

The event is a great opportunity for Indian exporters to showcase their products and establish trade linkages with China and countries in South Asia and South-East Asia to pave the way for greater cooperation in trade and investment.

Bilateral trade between India and China, the two major Asian economies, has risen to $72 billion in last fiscal (2014-15) from $58 billion in 2010-11, with the trade volume with Yunnan being $523 million.

Vice President Li Yuanchao will attend the opening ceremony of the Expo. President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom of Maldives, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong of Laos, Parliamentary Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury of Bangladesh, and Deputy Prime Minster Hoang Trung Hai of Vietnam will be present upon invitation. India will be the country of honor of this year’s Expo, and Thailand guest of honor of this year’s Fair.