CIIE serves as key platform to explore Chinese market potential: Swiss ambassador

The ongoing 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) serves as an important platform for foreign businesses to enter and expand their presence in the Chinese market, Swiss Ambassador to China Jurg Burri told the China Central Television (CCTV) on Tuesday while visiting Swiss exhibitors at the expo. This year marks Switzerland's seventh consecutive participation in the CIIE, with nearly 80 Swiss companies showcasing their products, a record high.

The Swiss pavilion exhibits a broad range of items, from food and beverages to high-end intelligent manufacturing.

In addition to well-known global brands, the pavilion also features over a dozen Swiss small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are attending the CIIE for the first time and hoping to tap into the vast Chinese market.

The ambassador spent over four hours visiting more than 20 Swiss exhibitors, both multinationals and SMEs.

He took the time to learn about their operations and growth plans in China.

Burri emphasized that the CIIE, one of the world's largest trade expos, has served as a key platform for foreign companies to enter the Chinese market and share China's development opportunities.

"The CIIE is the CIIE. It's one of the biggest fairs in the world and I am particularly happy here today because it's so successful for Switzerland. There are the big, established Swiss companies who have [their] own factories in China and big production. They take the CIIE for what it is - a good place to meet local governments, good customers and so on," he said.

Since Nov 1, the 2024 version of the negative list for foreign investment access has been implemented, lifting restrictions on foreign investment in China's manufacturing sector.

The move offers new opportunities for Swiss SMEs which are looking forward to expanding their businesses in the Chinese market.

"This is definitely a tremendous commercial opportunity for us Swiss healthcare SMEs. The opening up of relevant industries means we now have the chance to directly engage in production and research and development [in China]," said a CIIE exhibitor.

Official data showed that China is Switzerland's largest trading partner in Asia. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade between the two countries reached 40.73 billion U.S. dollars, a 23.8-percent increase from the previous year, significantly outperforming the trade growth between China and other major European economies.

The ambassador hoped that the ongoing negotiations to upgrade the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement will further enhance bilateral trade and investment and strengthen the economic ties between the two countries.

He also visited the live studio of the China Media Group (CMG) at the expo.

Running from Tuesday to Sunday under the theme of "New Era, Shared Future," the 7th CIIE has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions, and international organizations to participate in its country exhibition and business exhibition.

CIIE serves as key platform to explore Chinese market potential: Swiss ambassador

Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.

Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.

More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.

Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.

"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.

During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.

"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.

In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.

With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.

"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.

Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition