IMPORT FOR IMPETUS
Amid lingering challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE), held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, still managed to attract global participants and saw the enduring enthusiasm of domestic buyers and traders. More than $70.7 billion worth of tentative deals were reached for one-year purchases of goods and services at the event, Sun Chenghai, Deputy Director of the CIIE Bureau, told a press conference after its conclusion.
Inaugurated in 2018, the CIIE is the world’s first import-themed national-level trade show. This year’s edition, in a first-ever, launched an online country exhibition. According to the CIIE Bureau, a total of 58 countries and three international organizations participated, with five making their CIIE debut.
The business exhibition again covered six areas: food and agricultural products, automobiles, technology, consumer goods, healthcare and trade in services. Nearly 3,000 companies from 127 countries and regions made an appearance, covering an offline exhibition area of 366,000 square meters—expanding on the 2020 edition. Among companies and industry leaders, 40 attended the expo for the first time and 120 were fourth-time participants.
