NICOSIA - China's National Light Industry Council has just established a regional trade center and permanent exhibition in Cyprus with a view of promoting trade with European Union, Middle East and African countries.

The center was inaugurated in association with the Cyprus International Merchandising Center (IMC) in capital Nicosia, an IMC official said on Tuesday.

The IMC said in a statement that the project is a strategic partnership with China's National Light Industry Council, which will incorporate a permanent showcase and distribution center for Chinese light industry products and services.

The center will offer an opportunity to show in one location over 3,000 products made by more than 150 Chinese companies of the light industry sector, the statement added.