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Country tours at CIIE|Italy to showcase economic, cultural strengths at expo Release date: 2021-09-26    Source:China International Import Expo Bureau


Promotional video of the online country exhibition of the fourth China International Import Expo.

Editor's Note: The country exhibition is an important part of the China International Import Expo, embodying China's efforts to open up and practice major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. The country exhibition of the fourth CIIE will be held online. This series of stories will present the highlights of participating countries.

Italy has been a regular participant of the China International Import Expo. More than 300 Italian companies have attended the past three editions of the annual expo since 2018, occupying nearly 40,000 square meters of exhibition area. Featuring original designs and high-quality craftsmanship, Italian products have left an indelible impression on Chinese consumers.

During the third expo in 2020, more than 60 companies from Italy displayed their products and services despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The country also showcased its cultural heritage items using multimedia and digital technologies at the expo's people-to-people and cultural exchange activities.

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The Italy Pavilion at the second China International Import Expo. [Photo/China International Import Expo Bureau]

This year, over 100 Italian companies such as Fila, Ferrero and Pirelli will attend the fourth CIIE which will take place from Nov 5 to 10 in Shanghai.

The CIIE demonstrates China's determination to share markets and development opportunities with the world, and also creates a favorable situation for Italy, said Italian Ambassador to China Luca Ferrari. Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including jewelry company Cameo Italiano, have gained a firm foothold in China via the CIIE, as well as seen an increase in clients and orders.

"We clearly feel the great vigor of the Chinese market through the CIIE. The event has become a window through which the outside world sees how open China is now," said Luigi Di Luca, CEO of Cameo Italiano.

China is Italy's largest trading partner in Asia. During the first seven months of 2021, the foreign trade between the two countries reached $41.1 billion, up 41.2 percent year-on-year. China's imports from Italy during this period reached $17.9 billion, surging 63.2 percent year-on-year. Additionally, Chinese cities like Chengdu and Wuhan have launched freight trains to Milan since the two countries signed a Belt and Road MoU in 2019.

Italy is the eighth largest economy in the world. It boasts flourishing industries and SMEs account for over 98 percent of its companies. The country also has 58 UNESCO World Heritages, the most in the world.

By Zhao Luyang