A matchmaking session for the food and agricultural products exhibition area of the sixth China International Import Expo took place in Shanghai on March 2.

Participants included about 40 exhibitors specializing in dairy products, meat and aquatic products such as Nestle, Bellamy's, Tyson, Altamare SA and more than 100 purchasers related to food circulation, production, and processing. 

The matchmaking session is the first offline activity of its kind for the sixth CIIE, Song Shangzhe, assistant president of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the venue for the CIIE, said at the meeting. 

Song Shangzhe, assistant president of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), delivers a speech at the meeting. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

Song noted that the invitation for exhibitors of the sixth CIIE is currently underway and expressed hope that more enterprises can actively participate in this year’s expo. 

The CIIE organizers will continue to facilitate communication and cooperation between exhibitors and purchasers, and improve services for both parties, Song added.

Wang Lin, an official with the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, gave a policy review for imports of special foods such as infant formula at the meeting.

Lu Qing, general manager in charge of foreign trade at Tyson China, and Le Jiayi, general manager of Shanghai KJ Import & Export Co Ltd, shared their experiences of previous expos at the meeting. 

In addition, an international food trade cooperation salon, which was organized by the China Chamber of Commerce of I/E of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products, was held during the meeting. 

At the salon, representatives from food industry organizations in Denmark, Spain, Singapore, Poland, Sweden, and exhibitors of the sixth expo discussed and shared their views on trends in the industry as well as the approaches for small and medium-sized brands to expand in the Chinese market.

An international food trade cooperation salon is held during the matchmaking session. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

By Zhao Guangmei