MORE than 100 Mexican and Chinese corporations will meet at the Mexico Pavilion this week to discuss cooperation as the North American country is using the World Expo to attract Chinese investments into its mining industry.

Mexican officials said that the low cost of investing and a skilled labor force make the country a competitive investment destination for Chinese firms, including Baoshan Iron and Steel Corp and Aluminum Corporation of China, which will be able to find out the latest information about its investment environment at the pavilion.

According to the statistics provided by China Customs, last year the volume of iron sand and copper gold imported from Mexico rose by 14 percent and 29 percent respectively from 2008.

"The cooperation between the two countries on the mining industry will provide not only economic growth, but also employment opportunities," said Chong Quan, China's assistant commerce minister. "Last year the cooperation on steel added 400 jobs."

Mexico will display Geoinfomex, a geology information system which provides investment information on infrastructure construction, as well as an exhibition showing the mineral resources of the country at the pavilion. The exhibition is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors.