Representatives deliver speeches during the event. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

A promotional conference for the seventh China International Import Expo was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on March 22.

The event attracted more than 100 representatives from the local government, business associations and enterprises both online and in-person.

Noting that 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil, Wu Zhengping, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, said he hopes that Brazilian companies will leverage the CIIE platform to expedite their entry into the Chinese market and achieve better results.

Xu Yuansheng, commercial counselor at the Consulate General of China in Rio de Janeiro, said that China and Brazil are the largest developing countries in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, respectively, and their economic and trade cooperation is an essential part of the bilateral relationship.

Xu encouraged Brazilian companies to make the most of the CIIE for exploring the Chinese market and strengthening pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.

Claudia Jannuzzi, special advisor to the Secretariat of Economic Development of the state government of Rio de Janeiro, said that Rio de Janeiro would actively encourage and support Brazilian companies in participating in the CIIE.

The Union and Organization of Cooperatives of the State of Rio de Janeiro (OCB/RJ), which has participated in the CIIE for six consecutive years, will continue mobilizing Brazilian enterprises to showcase high-quality agricultural products at this year's expo, said Vinicius Mesquita, president of the OCB/RJ.

Michelle Fernandes, president of the Business Council for International Relations and Foreign Trade under the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro (ACRJ), said that the CIIE is an excellent platform for further promoting bilateral trade between Brazil and China. She said that ACRJ will use the CIIE platform to expand its business in the Chinese market.

During the event, several organizations and enterprises, including ACRJ, the Federation of Chambers of Foreign Trade in Brazil, and the International Container Terminal Services Inc's Rio Brasil Terminal confirmed their participation in the seventh CIIE and signed memoranda of cooperation with the CIIE Bureau.

In addition to the event, the CIIE working team also had a meeting with Tian Min, Chinese consul general in Rio de Janeiro, on March 21. During the meeting, Tian said that the consulate general would continue to support the CIIE and help bring more high-quality Brazilian products to the Chinese market.

A signing ceremony is held during the event. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

By Zhao Guangmei