(China Daily Network 2024-11-04）

The 7th China International Import Expo will open in Shanghai tomorrow. Many experts and foreign business people said that the CIIE is playing its role as an international public product to better support the least developed countries (LDCs) to enter the Chinese market and further integrate into the world economy.

According to the latest data from the United Nations, as ofIn 2023, there are 45 least developed countries in the world, 33 of which are in Africa. According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, 37 least developed countries will participate in the CIIE this year. In addition, the African products exhibition area will be greatly expanded this time, focusing on displaying various specialty agricultural products in Africa (such as shea butter, coffee, sesame, peanuts and soybeans, etc.).

Honey is one of Zambia’s specialty products. A local person in charge said that the CIIE will help local honey products expand their market share and further promote them to consumers in China and other regions. Zhang Tongyang, head of Mupende Wild Honey Company located in Kabwe Town, central Zambia, said that thanks to the opportunities brought by the China International Import Expo, Zambian honey export volume has increased fromFrom a small start of less than 1 ton in 2018, it has soared to nearly 20 tons per year. This year, with the expansion of the booth area, "Many African small businesses also very much hope to use the CIIE to enter the Chinese market, but it is difficult for them to participate in the exhibition independently. Therefore, we decided to bring their products to the expo for display." Zhang Tongyang said.

According to the South African "Independent" website (IOL) Recently reported that Lerato Mattaberg, Deputy Director of the Export Department of the South African Ministry of w88 and Industry Mataboge said: "The CIIE promotes South Africa's exports by assisting new and existing South African exporters to enter the international market. It is an important platform for South Africa to showcase its products to its largest trading partner and the world's second largest economy. China's economic consumption level is constantly improving, which also reflects the growing potential and demand for certain imported products." In addition, the country's 35 exhibitors this year will represent a range of industries, including agricultural products processing and agriculture, textiles, clothing and leather, oil and natural gas, etc.

Thanks to the diverse geographical environment, many African least developed countries have unique high-quality agricultural products. Since the first CIIE, many least developed countries in Africa have harvested business opportunities at the CIIE and achieved new breakthroughs in exports. For example, Tanzania has continuouslyParticipating in the exhibition for 6 years, China-Tanzania relations have always been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation, becoming a model for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation. In the past six years, through the vast platform of the CIIE, the country’s exhibitors have brought coffee, cashew nuts, chegumi and other specialty exhibits out of the African continent, into the Chinese market, and onto the world stage.

As one of the top ten cashew nut producers in the world, Guinea-Bissau has an annual cashew nut output of more than250,000 tons, which is one of the country's pillar industries. It is reported that about 80% of local people are engaged in cashew-related industries. In recent years, Guinea-Bissau hopes to strengthen cooperation with China and actively participates in various important exhibitions in China. The CIIE is a top priority. Antonio Serifo Embalo, Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau to China, said that participating in events such as the CIIE gives Guinea-Bissau the opportunity to showcase its agricultural products, especially cashew nuts.

In 2022, a Guinea-Bissau cashew company came here with the expectation of opening up the Chinese market. “Their (organizers) guidance is very detailed and very user-friendly.” said an exhibitor from Guinea-Bissau who participated in the exhibition for the first time. To their surprise, cashew nuts were very popular at the CIIE, with many w88 delegations and potential buyers visiting their booth every day, far exceeding their expectations.

Participating in the CIIE not only brings tangible results to exhibitors, but also greatly enhances the visibility of products from African countries. The CIIE is only part of China’s initiative to support the world’s least developed countries. At the China-Africa Forum held in September this year, China also announced that it was willing to take the initiative to unilaterally expand market opening and decided to provide support includingAll least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries, enjoy zero tariff treatment on 100% of their tax items.

In this regard, Wang Zhimin, a researcher at the National Institute of Opening-up at the w88 casino and director of the Institute of Globalization and Chinese Modernization, said that the commitment to duty-free access will greatly improve the competitiveness of these African countries' export products, allowing them to enter the vast Chinese market more effectively and diversify their economic activities. Furthermore, synergies between China’s duty-free access commitments and initiatives such as the China International Import Expo can have a truly transformative impact, enabling African countries to better integrate into global supply chains and drive sustainable economic development.

Attachment: Original link

https://cn.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202411/04/WS672873a9a310b59111da188f.html