[Xinhua is the offcial news agency of the People's Republic of China]

GUANGZHOU (Oct. 21) XINHUA - Creating a "sense" of market among Tibetan traders is the primary task of a two-week Chinese Export Commodity Fair, the "China Daily" quoted officials from the Tibet Autonomous Region as saying.

"The Export Commodity Fair will provide a good opportunity to learn modern business techniques, renew ideas and gather current commercial information," said Zhang Wenyuan, vice-director of the department of trade and economic co-operation, who lead the delegation to the autumn fair.

Over 20 participants representing six corporations in Tibet attendeds the semi-annual commodity fair which opened on Tuesday. Products include Tibetan carpets, wool fabrics, cashmere, Chinese caterpillar fungi (Cordyceps sinensis), leather and native handicrafts.

Unlike other provinces and cities, Tibet will put more emphasis on updating and exchanging ideas than on signing trade contracts during the trade fair, Zhang said.

Statistics indicate the 23 import and export companies in Tibet have yielded a business volume of 700 million US dollars during the Eighth Five-Year Plan (1991-1995), five times that of the Seventh Five-Year Plan (1986-1990). Altogether 19 foreign-funded enterprises have been established in the autonomous region in sectors such as beer, leather and carpet.

"Therefore, we will continue to strengthen our presence at the fair and to improve our people's business sense," said Zhang who regards professional skills as the key factor for Tibet's economic future.

The mineral and tourist resources ensure Tibet a promising economic future, but the current lack of professional staff has become an obstacle to its prosperity, Zhang said.

Of the 2,323 people who deal with foreign trade in Tibet, college graduates account for only 30 percent. Many of them have never been in business before.

Zhang said a blueprint has been draw by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation to offer training to people working in Tibet's trade sector.