From Al Edwards reporting from Beijing 

After last month’s well attended third staging of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) held in Beijing comes this month’s  China International Import Expo (CIIE) which will run from November 5^th to 10^th in Shanghai.

This will be the sixth CIIE and the first since the COVID pandemic with as many as 155 countries participating.

China’s Deputy Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping is anticipating some 395,000 exhibitors with over 3,400 international organisations and companies represented.

Of particular note is a record 290 Fortune 500 companies will be at CIIE this year.  This renown international expo will cover over 370,000 square meters and actively encourages investment promotion, international procurement and trading.

This year’s edition of CIEE will highlight the very best in tech applications and the latest in manufacturing trends with attention being paid to low carbon solutions and Artificial Intelligence.

The Belt and Road Initiative has attracted a growing list of countries and this year’s CIIE will see as many as 1,500 businesses from Belt and Road countries at CIIE.

China is pushing for the least developed countries to use the expo to showcase, promote and sell their products and services more particularly speciality products. Here a country like Jamaica can promote its Blue Mountain coffee and rums. The aim is to open small markets to the world and tap into the huge Chinese consumer base.

Chinese companies are looking outward and firms like Huawei and BYD are making a mark with their exports.

Speaking with China Daily, Chairman and CEO of Toshiba (China) Co. Ltd. Takao Yagi said: “Toshiba China will participate in the CIIE for the sixth consecutive year. We have confidence in the growth of the Chinese market and remain committed to supporting high-quality and sustainable development through innovative technology and top-notch services.

CIIE provides an opportunity for businesses to network and explore new business opportunities. The expo attracts a vast number of buyers and visitors from around the world, offering a chance for businesses to connect with potential customers and suppliers.

More new start-ups are expected to be at CIIE this year with as many as 500 on display in a 5,000 square meter space said Fang Hui, General Manager of the CIIE’s National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).

The CIIE as a platform for exhibitors and companies, with cutting-edge technologies on show has over the last five years cumulatively raked in US$340 billion in business transactions.