A symposium on the upcoming eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held in Brussels, capital of Belgium, on April 22 local time under the aegis of the Brussels branch of Bank of China (BOC) and the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (BCECC).

Ge Hong, deputy director-general of the China International Import Expo Bureau (CIIEB), Zhuang Xuehui, head of the Brussels branch of BOC, and Bernard Dewit, chairman of the BCECC, addressed the symposium. Representatives for Belgian exhibitors at the eighth CIIE, including the Belgian Meat Office, presented briefings on their preparations for the expo.

Ge said the CIIE, which has been held seven times on end, is a platform opening to the world and an international public good. The preparation for the eighth CIIE is in full swing, with the exhibition area reported to reach 250,000 square meters. "Belgian businesses and organizations are cordially invited to the CIIE where they can showcase their products and services, and share the opportunities of development as well as the dividends of China’s super-large market," Ge said.

Zhuang Xuehui expressed that the Brussels branch of BOC has been dedicated over the years to building a bridge of financial services for both Chinese and Belgian businesses. "We will facilitate Belgian businesses in entering the Chinese market via CIIE," she said.

Dewit noted that rising trade protectionism sentiment in some countries had been impeding normal international trade. By holding the CIIE, China shows its commitment to opening-up. He also added that the expo provides a good opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises from Belgium to learn about and enter the Chinese market.

Belgian Meat Office said its debut at the seventh CIIE had proven successful, showing that meat products from Belgium have established a good reputation in the Chinese market and that the Chinese market favors high-quality meat from Europe. The organization plans to participate in the eighth CIIE this year.

At the symposium, the CIIE Bureau signed a memorandum of cooperation with the BCECC and the Belgian Meat Office, respectively. The CllE working team briefed symposium participants on the achievements of the expo and the features of each of its exhibition sections. Businesses in attendance said they were eager to present their products and services at the expo.

The CllE working team also had a meeting with Baudouin Havaux, president of Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB), in hope of inviting the organization to the CIIE.

By Li Hanmeng