China's national fair on software and information services has greatly fueled economic growth in the past 10 years, its organizing committee said.

The China International Software & Information Service Fair, the only national and professional industry expo of its kind approved by the State Council, has been held annually in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, since 2003.

At the past nine fairs, more than 960 contracts were signed for projects concerning software and information services, according to incomplete statistics.

These involved a combined direct investment that exceeded 30 billion yuan ($4.7 billion). Extra investments in other projects or service revenue generated from them reached 3 trillion yuan.

Hundreds of global enterprises in software and information outsourcing have attended a trade facilitation forum sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce during the fairs.

Some 100 domestic companies have cooperated with foreign outsourcing companies, which mainly come from Japan or America.

The fair has been a strong driver of growth for this industry and the economy as a whole, according to a report released by the organization committee.

Furthermore, the local economy in the Northeast, such as Liaoning and Jilin provinces, has benefited much more from this expo - especially during the first years of its existence - because it established its headquarters there.

For example, when the State Council announced a revitalization plan for the northeastern area in 2003, the fair held a special press conference to promote cooperation between the traditional manufacturing sector and the IT industry.

The 264 projects announced at that time attracted great enthusiasm for investment, and the aggregate amount of these projects reached 3.9 billion yuan, making the conference one of the most effective engines for the local economy.

For the past 10 years, the fair has turned its focus toward improving the public's quality of life as well.

The green economy and devices for smart living have been highlights at the fair last year. Experts from institutes and famous enterprises introduced the advanced technology to thousands of visitors.

What's more, more than 30,000 professionals in this industry went to the fair to scout jobs being offered by 200 companies every year.

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(China Daily 06/15/2012 page15)