XIAMEN, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- The 13th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) is ready to open Tuesday and expected to attract about 13,000 overseas businessmen.

    The fair this year will cover 60,000 square meters, 8,000 square meters more than last year, with 2,800 exhibition booths, according to a press conference held by the CIFIT organizing committee Sunday.

    As of Saturday, 492 overseas institutions from 83 countries or regions had confirmed to come.

    During the four-day trade fair, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) will hold a forum on boosting economic recovery through international investment and another forum on mainland-Taiwan economic and trade cooperation.

    "This year is crucial for the world to fight the global economic downturn... The fair is expected to provide both overseas and domestic enterprises more chances to cooperate," said Shen Danyang, deputy head of the MOC General Office and head of the organization committee's press center.

    The fair was sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and organized by Fujian provincial government, Xiamen municipal government and the MOC Investment Promotion Bureau, plus support of five international organizations.