(Yicai Global) Nov. 10 -- Buyers at the first China International Import Expo have placed orders worth USD57.8 billion for the year ahead and the most valuable deals involved smart and high-end equipment.

The six-day trade fair, which saw participants from over 3,600 firms and over 150 countries and regions, closed today, Sun Chenghai, deputy director of the CIIE bureau, said at a news briefing. Orders involving intelligent and high-end technologies amounted to USD16.5 billion. 

Sales agreed for food and agricultural products were worth USD12.7 billion, and automobiles came third with USD12 billion. Healthcare and medical equipment took up USD5.8 billion and came fourth, while consumer electronics and home appliances made up USD4.3 billion, or 7 percent of all. Apparel and clothing ranked sixth with USD3.4 billion in value and service trade accounted for USD3.2 billion out of all deals. 

At the fair, over 570 new products, technologies or services were launched for the first time in China's mainland.

Countries along the Belt and Road, which is a Chinese investment plan involving the former Silk Road, got USD4.7 billion, or 8 percent of the value of all orders.

The CIIE was held at the National Convention & Exhibition Center in Shanghai.

Editor: Emmi Laine