Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday announced the opening of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) from 5th to 10th November 2018 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai.

The CIIE is the world's first national-level expo themed on import, said President Xi, adding that the event shows China's persistent stance on supporting the multilateral trading system and promoting the development of free trade.

At the exhibition hall, National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), Utexrwa, C&H garments and Urumuri handcrafts represented Rwanda.  Rwanda delegates are presenting made in Rwanda products including coffee, and handcrafts at the expo. The first China international import expo comes four days after Rwanda government launched partnership with Alibaba group to advertise and market tourism and made in Rwanda products to the Chinese market. 

The China International Import Expo takes place at the time China is celebrating the 40 years of opening up. “The expo is a significant move for the Chinese Government to hold CIIE with a view of firmly supporting trade liberalization, economic globalization and actively opening the market to the world”.

The expo will facilitate countries and regions all over the world to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, and to promote global trade and world economic growth in order to advance the development of an open world economy.

There are a total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations participating in the event. More than 3,600 enterprises have signed up for the exhibition, which covers an area of 300,000 square meters.

Addressing the guests, President Xi urged China to invigorate import potential, continue to relax market access, create a world-class business environment and a new highland for opening up, and promote in-depth development of multilateral and bilateral cooperation to further expand opening up.

ENDS.