Pyongyang, November 20 (KCNA) -- The 16th Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair was opened with due ceremony at the Central Youth Hall on Tuesday.

Presented to the fair on the theme of "For independence and friendship, common development and prosperity" are electric and electronic goods, machinery, building-materials, medicines, foodstuffs and other products with international competitiveness based on advanced science and technology, which were produced by more than 160 businesses and companies of different countries, including the DPRK and Russia.

During the fair, there will be an explanation session on economic exchange and cooperation.

Present at the opening ceremony were Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations of the DPRK, and officials concerned, officials of the exhibiting units, delegations of different countries and members of foreign diplomatic missions here.

Ham Ju Sop, director of the Korean International Exhibition Corporation, made an opening address to be followed by a congratulatory speech of Yun Jong Ho. -0-