A promotional event for the upcoming eighth CIIE China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held in Brussels on April 23 local time, attracting key organizations and businesses.

According to Xie Yajing, commercial counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, Belgium has been a major advocate of free trade and its enterprises have participated in the CIIE for seven consecutive years, emphasizing the country’s drive for openness with its economy. Xie encouraged more Belgian companies to come to China via the CIIE for a wider market and more opportunities.

Ge Hong, deputy director-general of the China International Import Expo Bureau (CIIEB) said that for many overseas companies the CIIE has become an important gateway to the vast Chinese market, noting that 19 Belgian companies from various sectors took part in the seventh CIIE. Ge expressed the hope that more companies will partake in the eighth CIIE this year, bringing their premium products to Chinese consumers.

He Biqing, general manager of the Brussels Branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), emphasized the branch’s commitment to economic and trade cooperation between China and Belgium as well as lasting efforts for the promotion of the CIIE around the world. He invited more Belgian and European companies to join the CIIE and to build sustainable ties for innovation with Chinese partners.

Gwenn Sonck, executive director of the EU-China Business Association and the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged the vital role that the CIIE plays in helping small and medium-sized Belgian enterprises (SMEs) in Belgium and Europe as a whole explore the Chinese market. She also expressed willingness to bring more European enterprises to the annual event.

Moussa Diallo Elhadj, member of the Belgian Senate, called for enhanced supply chain cooperation and cultural exchanges between Belgium and China.

Angelina Chan, member of the Brussels-Capital Regional Parliament, said that the CIIE is a great opportunity for SMEs to build brand visibility and to develop partnerships in the Chinese market.

The CIIE working team briefed participants on the highlights of the upcoming eighth CIIE and the potential achievements it could generate, and shared stories of the success of some previous exhibitors.

While in Brussels, the CIIE working team visited the Economic and Commercial Section of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium and had meetings with the EU-China Business Association and China Chamber of Commerce to the EU, promoting their participation in the eighth CIIE.

The promotional event was hosted by the CIIEB, the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), and the Brussels Branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) under the aegis of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium and with support from the China-Europe Business Council (CEBC).

By Li Hanmeng