AMMAN (Jordan Times) - Chinese companies taking part in China Fair Jordan 2011 expressed optimism on Monday about signing deals and building partnerships with local counterparts.

The exhibition, which started Monday and runs through September 22, includes different pavilions where a variety of Chinese companies showcase their products in fields of construction materials, clothing, food industries and equipment.

"We are here looking for cooperation with Jordanian peers and companies in the Middle East," Yu Jiande, president of the Zhejiang Dean Sci. and Tech. Holdings Co., Ltd., told The Jordan Times Monday.

"My company has experience in water treatment. As Jordan is one of the water-poor countries, we are ready to share our expertise and cooperate a lot in this regard," Jiande said.

Jack Sun, president of Zhejiang Jilaoda Car Appliance which is taking part for the first time in the exhibition, said many traders has showed interest in dealing with his company on the first day of the fair.

"Many traders have already expressed interest in signing deals with us and importing our automobile products. I am very optimistic about this fair and sure we will sign lots of deals," Sun said.

Helen, a representative of Juxiang Food Company, expressed hope to export products not only to Jordan but to countries in the region.

"Jordan has a very strategic location from which we can penetrate markets in the region and we hope to increase our exports to the region’s markets," she said .

The fair, opened by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Mohammad Barakat Al Zuhair, is being held for the 8th time in the country.

It is supported by the China’s ministry of commerce, Chinese provincial governments and the government of Jordan.

China's exports to Jordan reached $1.6 billion during the first seven months of this year, while the Kingdom's exports to China reached $150 million during the same period.