A total of 2,706 cultural projects were published in a catalog released by the Second China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF) organizers yesterday for possible buyers.

The 2,706 projects, which seek investments totaling 70 billion (US$8.75 billion), were included in the Handbook for Investment and Financing in China's Cultural Industry 2006, which aims at providing information for domestic and international buyers.

According to the ICIF organizers, the fair will display more than 30,000 cultural products between May 16 and June 3.

The products are from the design, movie, animation, cartoon, video games, performances and publication industries.

The organizers announced yesterday that a permanent site would be chosen for trading in cultural products, with buyers also having the option of purchasing online.

A total of 21,599 industry professionals registered with the ICIF this year, including 18,328 from the mainland. Ninety-seven foreign companies have signed up for the fair, accounting for 8 percent of the total participating companies.

More than 20 countries will send official delegations to the fair, and the organizers have invited representatives of 300 overseas investment organizations to the fair.

Editor: Yan