As the CIIE comprehensive cooperation partner, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has engaged in various areas such as exhibitor recruitment, supporting activities, trade promotion, and financial services. By leveraging its financial strength, ICBC facilitates global trade and economic development opportunities, contributing to the continued success of the CIIE and supporting the nation’s efforts to expand opening-up.

"TWO FLAGSHIP EVENTS, ONE INITIATIVE EXHIBITION": BUILDING A BRIDGE FOR GLOBAL TRADE CONNECTIVITY

Over its eight years of involvement with the CIIE, ICBC has consistently broadened and deepened its participation. Wu Kao, General Manager of the International Business Department at ICBC Shanghai Branch, notes that "Two Flagship Events and One Initiative Exhibition" has become the main approach of ICBC to showcasing at the CIIE, creating a bridge for global trade connectivity. This approach includes hosting the China Europe CEO Summit, organizing a sub-forum at the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, and, since the fourth CIIE, pioneering a financial trustee exhibition model.

On November 6, 2024, as a supporting event of the 7th CIIE, ICBC successfully hosted the China Europe CEO Summit at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Source: ICBC

ICBC has hosted the China Europe CEO Summit for six consecutive years, leveraging the China-Europe Business Council (CEBC) to foster consensus between China and Europe in key areas such as trade, investment, supply chain collaboration, and green transition. For four consecutive years, ICBC has organized the Hongqiao International Economic Forum sub-forum, using the Belt and Road Bankers Roundtable (BRBR) to gather high-level representatives from global governments, enterprises, and financial institutions to discuss pathways for high-level opening-up and high-quality development.

On November 7, 2024, the sub-forum of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF), themed "High-Standard Opening-Up of the Financial Sector, Promoting High-Quality Development of Trade and Investment," was successfully held at the NECC (Shanghai). The event was hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of China and co-organized by the CIIE Bureau, ICBC, and the NECC (Shanghai). Source: ICBC

ICBC has set up exhibition booths using a financial trustee model. Overseas companies no longer need to travel long distances, relying on the traditional "traveling merchant" model to explore markets. Instead, they can efficiently connect and negotiate with attending Chinese companies through ICBC's CIIE booth in the "sitting merchant" model. 

Over the past four years, ICBC has facilitated product displays, matchmaking, transaction support, and financial services through its booths. They have invited over 430 exhibitors from more than 60 countries and regions, providing high-quality and efficient financial support and service assurance to both exhibitors and visitors.

FROM "TRAVELING MERCHANT" TO "SITTING MERCHANT": PROMOTING GLOBAL PRODUCTS IN EXPLORING CHINESE MARKET

During the 7th CIIE, the ICBC financial trustee exhibition booth in the Food and Agricultural Products Area expanded to 1,000 square meters. The number of exhibitors increased to 131, showcasing a total of 717 products from 45 countries and regions. Notably, 28 of ICBC's overseas institutions recommended 105 exhibitors, setting a new record for the number of participating overseas institutions and exhibitors.

During the 7th CIIE, ICBC established a booth in the 2.2H Food and Agricultural Products Area at the NECC (Shanghai) through a financial trustee model. Source: ICBC

"Through years of deepening our work at CIIE, we discovered that many high-quality overseas small and medium-sized enterprises face challenges in accessing effective platforms to enter the Chinese market due to limited market channels. By selecting exhibitors with potential in the Chinese market through ICBC's overseas network and inviting them to participate in the CIIE, we provide product display, trade matchmaking, and comprehensive financial support, helping transform 'exhibitors into investors and exhibits into commodities'," said Wu Kao.

ICBC's comprehensive "exhibition, matchmaking, landing, and growth" support has successfully assisted global food giants such as PMI Foods and Costco, along with specialty brands like the UK's AHMAD TEA and New Zealand's Maui sheep milk, in entering and establishing themselves in the Chinese market.

The experience of RICHORA Group highlights the success of this model. Specializing in Manuka honey, RICHORA transitioned from being part of the New Zealand exhibition group to securing its own booth in the ICBC exhibition area, participating in the CIIE for three consecutive years with ICBC's support. "ICBC not only addressed our financial needs for cross-border settlements and financing but also leveraged its global network to help our products enter numerous sales channels, gaining significant market opportunities," said Jasmine Mao, Marketing Manager at RICHORA (SHANGHAI) FOOD TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

For Maia Escobar, Business Development Manager from Carriquiry Consulting Shanghai, which will debut at the 8th CIIE, the expo represents a brand-new opportunity. "This model will help us precisely connect with target audiences, an advantage that is difficult to achieve by exhibiting independently."   

ICBC has set up a financial trustee exhibition booth for four consecutive years, attracting numerous domestic buyers to engage in exchanges. The booth is bustling with activity and lively discussions. Source: ICBC

"SMART FINANCE" SYSTEM: BRIDGING THE LAST MILE TO THE CHINESE MARKET

Before the expo, ICBC leveraged its overseas network to host promotional events in key countries, helping to introduce new exhibitors and their products for debut at the CIIE. Domestically, branches nationwide actively organized supply-demand matchmaking activities to attract more buyers. According to Cao Chen from the CIIE Service Team of the International Business Department at ICBC Shanghai Branch, the bank has established a "Headquarters-Branch Coordination + Domestic-International Linkage" service system, providing continuous, year-round support for the CIIE.

Throughout each CIIE, ICBC has continuously optimized comprehensive financial service plans around the core needs of exhibitors, such as cross-border settlements, exchange, and financing, helping companies expand their global markets. This year, ICBC will further focus on more precise, efficient, and convenient cross-border matchmaking services, fully upgrading its product and service matrix to precisely meet the diversified needs of exhibitors and buyers in cross-border trade, elevating global trade and economic cooperation to new heights.

Additionally, ICBC will partner with the CIIE Bureau to organize key buyer "selection fairs" and a buyer "corridor", establishing more targeted supply-demand matchmaking platforms. By leveraging its global service network, ICBC is developing a comprehensive financial service framework characterized by "one-point access, global response". This approach effectively integrates "financing, intelligence, and commerce," helping clients bridge the last mile to the Chinese market.

Since the first CIIE, over 2,600 ICBC "Little Leaf" volunteers have participated in service activities, hosting and assisting more than 20,000 guests and entrepreneurs from around the world. 

"The CIIE is an international stage that highlights the responsibilities of the younger generation. Here, I've witnessed an increasing number of global companies seizing development opportunities through the CIIE. We will ensure the success of the 8th CIIE with thorough preparation, detailed coordination, and sincere service," said Xu Tianyue, Secretary of the Youth League Committee of the Business Department at ICBC Shanghai Branch.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is compiled from materials provided by relevant parties participating in the CIIE and media reports,  with the CIIE Bureau objectively compiling relevant content. The CIIE Bureau does not take responsibility for disputes or losses arising from the following circumstances: deviations in expression due to outdated information updates; readers' subjective judgments or actions based on this article; unauthorized alteration or dissemination of the content by third parties.