WEST Lake Expo's 2009 Investment and Cooperation Week opens tomorrow and runs through next Friday. It aims to attract US$1 billion in foreign-investment contracts and 12 billion (US$1.76 billion) in RMB contracts.

Hangzhou is an engine in the economy of the Yangtze River Delta, and the city has approved more than 6,000 foreign-funded projects by 60 industries from 76 countries and regions.

This exhibition week will release 100 key foreign-investment projects and 100 key domestic-funded projects.

The event is also known as the International Investment and Cooperation Summit. Opening ceremony

Date: October 24, 10am-1pm

Venue: Grand Ball Room, 3/F, Zhejiang Narada Grand Hotel

Hosted by the Hangzhou municipal government and Investment Promotion Agency of Ministry of Commerce; undertaken by the Hangzhou Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau.

Representatives of overseas companies seeking investment will take part. Companies include some of the Fortune 500, including industry leaders and famous multinational corporations.

Key foreign-investment projects will be signed on the spot.

Consulting Meeting for Investment by Overseas Chinese Business

Date: October 25, 9:30am-1:30pm

Venue: Xinqiao Hotel

Hosted by the Hangzhou municipal government and undertaken by the Hangzhou Overseas Chinese Affairs Office.

Overseas Chinese businessmen, experts and professionals will attend. The session will explain the business environment and the "soft" environment for investment and start-ups.

It will set up a platform for communication, improving communication in science, education, economy and culture.

Industrial Investment Symposium

Date: October 24, 2:30-5:30pm

Venue: Xianghu Hall of Hangzhou Sofitel Xanadu Resort Hotel

Hosted by the Hangzhou municipal government and undertaken by the Hangzhou Economic and Trade Commission.

Multinational companies, well-known institutions and intermediary organizations will attend. Domestic and foreign aircraft manufacturers will also take part.

The investment environment for industrial development will be explained to promote industrial cooperation and promote the city's industrial transformation and upgrade.

Auto Industry Cooperation and Development Symposium

Date: October 25, 2-5pm

Venue: Xiaoshan District

Hosted by the Hangzhou municipal government and undertaken by the Hangzhou Taiwan Affairs Office.

Auto industry entrepreneurs from Taiwan will discuss the development, advantages and prospects of Hangzhou's auto industry. Related companies and equipment manufacturers of Taiwan's Yulon Group will attend.

The aim is to enhance the overall cooperation and communication between Hangzhou and Taiwan's auto industries and together build a manufacturing base in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Mechanical and Electrical Industry Cooperation and Development Seminar

Date: October 26, 8:30am-12pm

Venue: Conference Hall of You Jia Precision Instrument Co Ltd, Xiaoshan Economic and Technological Development Zone

Hosted by the Hangzhou municipal government and undertaken by the Hangzhou Taiwan Affairs Office.

Representatives of Taiwanese mechanical and electrical entrepreneurs will discuss the development and prospects of Hangzhou's mechanical and electrical industry.

The aim is to enhance cooperation and communication of Hangzhou and Taiwan's mechanical and electrical industry.

Promotion of Modern Service Industry in Xiacheng District

Date: October 25, 10am-12pm

Venue: Silk Road Hall of Zhejiang International Hotel

Hosted by the Xiacheng District Committee of CPC, Xiacheng District government and Hangzhou Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau; undertaken by the Xiacheng District Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau.

Representatives of famous modern service companies with investment intentions will attend.

The session tries to promote the city's development plan and construction of key buildings, zones, cultural streets and districts.

Contracts are expected to be signed and the Metro development will be discussed.

Cooperation and Communication Seminar on Hangzhou-Singapore Modern Service Industry

Date: October 28, 10-11:30am

Venue: Zhejiang Narada Grand Hotel (provisional)

Hosted by the Hangzhou Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau and East China Office of the International Affairs Department of IES (International Enterprise Singapore); undertaken by the Hangzhou International Investment Promotion Center.

Singapore's famous modern service companies will attend. Hangzhou's efforts in developing a modern service industry will be discussed as well as project proposals and expanded cooperation between Hangzhou and Singapore.

International Cooperation Conference on Hangzhou Canal Business District

Date: October 24, 2-8pm

Venue: Marketing and Experience Center of the Development Cooperation of Yuanyang Business District

Hosted by the Gongshu District government and the Hangzhou Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau; undertaken by the Gongshu District Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau.

Delegates from well-known overseas property developers and world-known housing agencies will attend.

The aim is to attract foreign investment for development of the Grand Canal area.

International Investment and Cooperation Summit (Forum of International Industry Cooperation)

Date: October 24, 2:30-5:30pm

Venue: Hangzhou Aigrette Resort

Hosted by the Hangzhou municipal government and Investment Promotion Agency of Ministry of Commerce; undertaken by the Yuhang District government and Hangzhou Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau.

Supporting organizations include American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, Sino-Euro Chamber of Commerce, delegation of the Organization of American States to China.

Representatives of some Fortune 500 companies and other corporations interested in investment will attend.

Sessions include a match-up symposium of multinational corporations and private enterprises in Hangzhou and a match-up forum for US-Hangzhou industry.

The aim is to promote communication and cooperation between Hangzhou's private enterprises and multinational corporations.

Hangzhou Industry Trade and Investment Promotion Fair Meeting - 11th West Lake International SME Seminar

Date: October 25-26

Venue: Hangzhou First World Hotel

Hosted by the Hangzhou municipal government, the Zhejiang University of Technology and the Zhejiang Small and Medium Enterprise Bureau; undertaken by the Hangzhou Economic and Trade Commission, the Hangzhou Foreign Affairs Office and Zhejiang SME Development Institution.

Noted Chinese and overseas academic experts will attend, as well as representatives from chambers of commerce and enterprises.

The aim is to strengthen communication between small- and medium-size enterprises and academic circles, to promote international cooperation in technology and economy, to expand development of small and medium enterprises in Hangzhou, and upgrade the international competitiveness of Hangzhou enterprises.

6th National Large and Medium-sized Cities Cooperation and Communication Seminar

Date: October 22-24

Venue: Zhejiang Hotel

Hosted by the Hangzhou municipal government, the Economic Coordination Committee of the Yangtze River Delta and the Zhejiang Office of Economic Association; undertaken by the Hangzhou Economic Association Office.

The sessions will focus on ways to strengthen and promote national cooperation and communication in the current economic situation.