US$57.83 billion intended deals reached at China’s first import expo
The first China International Import Expo concluded on November 10 with a total value of US$57.83 billion in intended deals signed.
The CIIE attracted 172 countries and regions, three international organizations, more than 3,600 enterprises as exhibitors, and over 400,000 buyers from home and abroad, said Sun Chenghai, deputy director of the expo bureau.
The expo covered an exhibition area of 300,000 square meters. As of midday on November 10, the number of people entering the exhibition center had surged 800,000.
A total of 71 pavilions were set up in the national exhibition by 82 countries (including China) and three international organizations — the World Trade Organization, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and International Trade Center.
The pavilions had distinctive styles highlighting their own characteristics, and made full use of technology to display their unique regional cultures and advantageous industries.
The 1,500-square-meter China Pavilion took the new development concept of “innovation, coordination, green, openness and sharing” as the main thread to display the achievements of China’s reform and opening up and the new opportunities it has brought to the world.
In terms of the commercial exhibition, it attracted 3,617 companies from 151 countries and regions to exhibit their technology, services or products, with more than 570 new products, new technologies or services launched.
Among all the deals, US$16.46 billion was in the smart and high-end equipment section, US$4.33 billion in the consumer electronics and home appliances section, US$11.99 billion in the auto area, and US$3.37 billion in apparel and consumer goods.
The food and agricultural products exhibition area clinched intended deals worth US$12.68 billion.
US-based Cargill, a leader in the global food and agriculture industry, signed agreements worth over US$2.4 billion for products including beef, grain, cotton and iron ore.
Robert Aspell, president of Cargill Asia Pacific, said the expo was a good demonstration of China’s support of growing world trade and its intent to further reform.
“The CIIE provides a great platform where governments, institutions, enterprises and even consumers can connect and communicate,” he said. “With the participation of all, we can build a better future together.”
New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra signed deals worth more than 12 billion yuan (US$1.73 billion) with companies including Xiamen C&D Co Ltd and Bailian Group.
“As the largest company in New Zealand, we’re honored to attend this national event,” said Zhu Xiaojing, president of Fonterra China.
“Looking to the future, Fonterra will continue to hold fast to quality and innovation, and delivering healthy, first-class dairy products to Chinese consumers,” Zhu said.
The figure in the medical equipment and medical care area reached US$5.76 billion, and in the service trade area it was US$3.24 billion.
Transaction agreements with a value of US$4.72 billion were signed with the countries along the Belt and Road.
Meanwhile, over 370 activities were held during the expo. At the supplydemand matchmaking fairs from November 6 to 8, 1,178 exhibitors and 2,462 buyers from 82 countries and regions had one-to-one talks on-site, and reached intentions for 601 field visits and signed preliminary agreements on 657 transactions.
At the first Hongqiao International Economic and Trade Forum, an important part of the CIIE, over 40 leaders of relevant countries and regions, distinguished guests of industries and academia, and people in charge of international organizations, discussed about stimulating new vitality in global trade, and more than 2,400 government representatives, exhibitors and purchasers attended the forum.
“We will review our experiences from all angles and also learn from the international first-class expo, to further promote the CIIE to be more international, professional, market-based and branded,” Sun said.