The sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is set to take place in Shanghai from 5th-10th November. A notable 289 of the world’s top 500 enterprises and industry leaders will participate, marking a significant increase from prior years, Global Times quoted an official as saying.
This year’s CIIE will host representatives from 154 countries, regions, and international bodies. Over 3,400 exhibitors and nearly 394,000 professional attendees have registered, bringing the numbers back to pre-COVID-19 standards, highlighted Sheng Qiuping, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce.
This marks the event’s inaugural full-scale return to face-to-face exhibitions since the outbreak of the pandemic.
A total of 69 countries and three international organisations are set to feature in the national exhibition section spanning five continents. Intriguingly, 11 nations are making their debut, while 34 countries are physically participating for the first time. Notably, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Serbia, South Africa, and Vietnam have been designated as guests of honour.
Major global brands from sectors like automotive, electronics, healthcare, mining, and shipping will be present. Furthermore, over 100 top-tier executives from leading global enterprises will be in attendance, setting a new record.
As the first global expo solely focused on imports, CIIE symbolises China’s commitment to fostering openness and building a global platform for procurement, investment, cultural exchange, and collaboration.
Bai Ming, Deputy Director at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, emphasised that the record attendance counters the West’s attempt to decouple from China. While China’s consumer market growth might have slowed, its stability continues to draw exhibitors worldwide.
Furthermore, the expo doesn’t just cater to developed nations but also provides a stage for emerging economies to break into global commerce. Of the 72 national exhibitors at the forthcoming CIIE, 64 are partners of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), said Sun Chenghai, Deputy Director of the CIIE Bureau.
Over 1,500 firms from BRI-associated countries have enrolled for the corporate exhibit, covering almost 80,000 square metres, a 30 percent uptick from the previous event. For the BRI’s least developed nations, the CIIE plans to facilitate the introduction of local specialty products into the Chinese market, offering complimentary stalls and financial incentives, Sun elaborated.
Esraa Esmail/ 方海山/ Amjad Saleh