On January 19, the China International Import Expo Bureau (CIIEB) and the Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organizations (CEOE) co-hosted a roadshow for China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Madrid, the first stop of a global tour. The event received a warm response from the Spanish economic sector. 

Mr. Tomás González, Chairman of the Committee of Asia and Oceania at CEOE, gave a welcome address, in which he pointed out that China is now the world’s second largest economy and a major importer and consumer, and called on Spanish enterprises wishing to expand exports to China to seize the opportunity to tap into the huge potential of the Chinese market. 

Spain has long attached importance to bilateral trading ties with other countries, and China is Spain’s most important trade partner outside the EU, said Mr. Yann Emonet, Assistant of Deputy General Director of Trade Policy with Europe, Asia and Oceania State at the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness. He noted that the themes selected for the exhibition sections at CIIE, including environmental protection, renewable energy, robots, automobiles, biomedicine, aviation, tourism, education and agricultural products, fit perfectly with the focuses of Spain’s export industry. The Spanish government sees CIIE as an important opportunity for Spain to strike a balance in trade with China and pledges to actively motivate Spanish enterprises to participate in the expo. 

Lv Fan, the Chinese Ambassador to Spain, noted that this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Spain. Spain is in a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and a key country with which China hopes to join hands to push forward the Belt and Road Initiative, said Lv. The decision to make Spain the first stop of CIIE’s global roadshow is a demonstration of the importance China attaches to the Spanish market. Lv hopes that CIIE becomes an open, cooperation-promoting platform for the Spanish government and businesses to showcase their development achievements, carry out international trade and open up third-party markets. For Spanish companies expecting to expand exports to China, the embassy will lend its full support and help them bring Spain’s quality products and services to the Chinese market. This will not only satisfy the Chinese people’s growing demand for a quality life, but also allow Spanish businesses and people to benefit from China’s open and thriving market, Lv added. 

Zhai Qian, Deputy Director-General of the Department of European Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, gave an overview of the expo and singled out its five characteristics: far-reaching influence, numerous channels to attract business, strong policy support, timeliness, and high level of professionalism. Zhai also encouraged Spanish companies to actively take part in CIIE, saying that their participation can further boost trade cooperation between the two countries. Mr. Gil-Casares, Director of Industrial Technology and Professional Services at the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), which is an initiator of the Country Pavilion for Trade & Investment at CIIE, briefed the audience on the predatory work the organization has done for the exhibition. The CIIEB delegate detailed the preparation for the exhibition and introduced its pavilions and services. After the roadshow, organizations and enterprises interested in the expo exchanged ideas with the Chinese delegates. 

The roadshow was attended by more than 100 representatives from Spanish government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, the government of the Community of Madrid, Invest in Aragon , Galician Institute for Economic Promotion, and Invest in Extremadura , industry associations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Investments of China in Spain, the Spanish Confederation of Small & Medium-sized Enterprises, the Spanish Food and Drink Industry Federation, the Spanish Healthcare Technology Federation, the Spanish Chemical Industry Business Federation and the Spanish Federation of Clothing Manufacturers, renowned local enterprises including Bankia, Renfe Operadora, La Liga, Indra, Iberia and Valencia Club of Football, as well as universities, media organizations and Chinese-funded institutes. 

The roadshow followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding by CIIEB and CEOE. The Invest in Aragon , Miguel, Traimer, Arum, and Connectworld International Education, among others, confirmed their participation during the roadshow, with a number of other companies showing interest.