Firstimers sign up for third import expo

A second batch of 125 exhibitors for the third China International Import Expo was announced on Wednesday, with nearly a sixth taking part for the first time. 

Around 30 percent are Global Fortune 500 enterprises or leaders in their industries, while there are more small and medium-sized enterprises including new friends of the CIIE and even some that have not yet entered the Chinese market, according to Fu Changchun, general manager of the exhibition department of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).

"They are relatively not that familiar to the Chinese consumers, but are taking the lead in certain market segments," Fu said. "By providing buyers with relevant information about these high-quality SMEs, we will help enhance and consolidate awareness of their brand in the Chinese market, as well as offer more opportunities for cooperation and exchanges between supply and demand sides."

Clean & Clean, a Portuguese SME, for example, will take part in the third CIIE this year with its exhibition space double the size of its booth last year after it has received a large number of orders both during and after the expo, according to the company.

The consumer goods exhibition area and the technology and equipment section each welcomes five new enterprises, while WE Solutions, a Hong Kong-listed auto firm, signed up for an exhibition area of 650 square meters in the auto exhibition area for its CIIE debut. 

Commercial banks from Russia and Kyrgyzstan will also attend the expo for the first time to sound out the Chinese market with booths in the trade in services exhibition area.