The Chinese Embassy in Argentina presented this Thursday (28.3.2019) in Buenos Aires the second China International Import Expo (CIIE), which will take place next November in the city of Shanghai.
The initiative was announced during a conference organized by the diplomatic representation and the Secretariat of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Production and Labor of Argentina, which took place in a hotel in Buenos Aires.
The CIIE "is the first national fair dedicated to imports. This demonstrates the determination to further open the Chinese market to the world and share the dividends of economic globalization. It offers an indispensable platform for international cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road," said Chinese ambassador to Argentina, Zou Xiaoli.
"The first edition of the Expo ended successfully, with a warm welcome from the international community," said the diplomat, who invited those present to the new event, scheduled for next November in Shanghai.
Advantageous Chinese-Argentine bond
Addressing senior Argentine officials and businessmen, Ambassador Zou stressed the importance of the Chinese-Argentine ties in view of the November event: "Cooperation between the two countries has incomparable advantages, reflected in a solid foundation, excellent conditions and broad prospects."
"In recent years, in the face of the complex international political and economic situation, high-level exchanges have been strengthened, mutual trust has been consolidated, and a more harmonious and friendly political environment has been created for expanding economic and trade cooperation," he said.
For his part, the Secretary of Agroindustry of Argentina, Luis Etchevehere, stressed that: “I want to highlight the importance of this expo because at a time when the world is closing itself off to protectionist policies, China is setting an example by opening up to the world. And we share that vision. Last year we had a very strong presence at the expo.”
“This year we are looking to increase our participation and our exports,” he insisted, immediately clarifying that: “Argentine exports to China reached 4 million dollars in 482, about 2018% of which are agro-industrial products.”
This international fair is taking place in a context in which China has reduced import tariffs on almost 400 agro-industrial products, including: dairy products; pre-mixes for baked goods; sweet foods, such as sweet biscuits, breakfast cereals and canned fruit; frozen seafood products; and sugary drinks.
BOC, platform for cooperation
The president of the Bank of China (BOC), the main sponsor of the International Fair, was also present and remarked that “It has become a good platform for cooperation between companies from all over the world, where many Argentine companies participated last year.” This bank, which was also a sponsor of the Olympics in Beijing, provides personal and business services and handles up to a third of China’s import and export banking services. It is the oldest bank in China.
The new edition of the import fair, which will be held in November in Shanghai, under the motto "New era, new future", will seek to promote trade relations around the world in the areas of food, technology and science, and other economic activities.
In this sense, our country's participation means an opportunity to gain new markets and deepen existing ties with the eastern country, and with other regions of the world; as proposed by the President of the Nation, Mauricio Macri, so that 2019 will be the year of exports.
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