SHANGHAI: Preparations are in full swing for the third China International Import Expo (CIIE), scheduled to open in early November this year. The event is likely to instil confidence in the business environment as COVID-19 clobbers the global economy.
The CIIE is the first dedicated import exhibition in the world and has seen fruitful outcomes in the past two editions. This year, the average exhibition area for the world’s top 500 companies and industry leaders will increase by 14 percent from last year, Sun Chenghai, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau, said at a press briefing on Friday. “It reflects a broad recognition of both the CIIE and the Chinese market,” Sun said.
The total planned exhibition area for enterprises at the third CIIE is 360,000 square meters, 60,000 square meters larger than the previous edition. Four new zones for public health and epidemic prevention, energy conservation and environment protection, smart transportation, as well as sports goods and competitions will be set up at the event, according to Sun, who said that the number of top enterprises scheduled to participate has already surpassed that of previous editions with many latest products and technologies set to debut.
For this year’s expo, some signing ceremonies and roadshows have been moved online to facilitate participation due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Leading tire manufacturer Michelin is scheduled to take part in this year’s CIIE for the first time after visiting the previous two expos.
“CIIE is the first national-level expo worldwide focusing on import and a breakthrough in international trade,” said Kamran Vossoughi, president and CEO of Michelin Greater China. “Michelin hardly participates in any expo directly, but this year we will showcase our vision in sustainability,” Vossoughi said.
Joerg Uwe Hille, with Carl Cloos Schweisstechnik GmbH, a Germany-based welding company with over 100 years of history, said the online roadshow was productive as it provided first-hand information. “The CIIE provided such a great platform for us to form business relations and contracts. We will expand our exhibition booth to 100 square meters this year,” Hille said. – Agencies
