An online roadshow to attract South Korean companies to the fifth China International Import Expo was held on June 16.

Representatives from more than 70 South Korean companies attended the event and learned about the expo's food and agricultural products and consumer goods exhibition areas, as well as favorable policies.

South Korea has been an active participant in the previous editions of the CIIE and its exhibitors had outnumbered those of most countries, said Gu Jinsheng, minister-counselor of the Chinese Embassy in South Korea. He added that China and South Korea have maintained fruitful cooperation across different sectors since the two countries established diplomatic relations 30 years ago.

According to Sun Chenghai, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, the annual expo has facilitated South Korean companies' entry into the Chinese market. During the fourth CIIE in 2021, more than 160 South Korean exhibitors occupied nearly 15,000 square meters of exhibition space. A variety of agricultural products and consumer goods from South Korea were showcased at the expo, he added.

Jhee Min-sun from the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) said at the roadshow that China is the largest trading partner of South Korea and boasts an enormous market with its 1.4 billion people. The IBK will use its rich experience in serving small and medium-sized enterprises to help them take part in the expo and enter the global market, added Jhee.

Hu Xiao, deputy general manager at Chongqing Tianxiang International Business Exhibition Co, said the company will invite purchasers involved in the agricultural products, consumer goods and other sectors to talk with South Korean exhibitors during the fifth CIIE so as to enhance trade ties between Chongqing and South Korea.

By Zhao Luyang