A promotional conference for the sixth China International Import Expo was held in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, on April 3 local time. 

This was the first promotional event that the CIIE has held in Colombia, and it was attended by over 200 people from the Colombian government, business circles, and media outlets. 

Chinese Chargé d'affaires in Colombia Zhang Liping said during the event that the success of the annual CIIE has promoted an opening global economy and economic globalization. 

He said that China’s further opening-up will bring more opportunities to the world and that Colombia is welcome to capitalize on the rapid development in China. He noted that China is the second largest trading partner of Colombia, with bilateral trade between the two sides rising 13 percent year-on-year to $22.6 billion in 2022.

Liu Fuxue, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, said during the event that Colombian enterprises have participated in every edition of the expo, during which their products were well-received. 

He expressed hope that more Colombian enterprises and their quality products can enter the Chinese market through the CIIE. 

Liu Fuxue, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, delivers a speech at the conference. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

Colombian Ambassador to China Sergio Cabrera said in a video address that Colombia’s trade structure with China has been improving, with its non-fossil fuel exports to China increasing by 65 percent in the past five years.

He added that Colombia will encourage more enterprises to participate in various Chinese exhibitions and activities to expand the country’s export volume. 

Carlos Ronderos, president of the Colombia-China Investment and Trade Chamber of Commerce, said during the event that they have gotten Colombian enterprises to participate in the CIIE three times and have brought many featured Colombian products to China. 

During the conference, Colombian coffee producer Colcafé and chocolate producer Lök Foods shared their experiences in expanding into the Chinese market through the CIIE. 

Several enterprises and organizations, including Lök Foods and the Colombia-China Chamber of Investment and Commerce, signed up for this year’s expo during the conference.

By Zhao Guangmei