Xiamen confirms dates for 2017 CIFIT

The 2017 China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) will be held from Sept 18 to 21 in Xiamen, Fujian province, officials confirmed during a press conference in Beijing on Aug 2. [Photo/www.ce.cn]

The 2017 China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) will be held from Sept 18 to 21 in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, officials confirmed during a press conference in Beijing on Aug 2.

The high-profile trade fair is being held slightly later than usual this year as Xiamen is due to host the 9th BRICS Summit on Sept 3-5.

This year's CIFIT will also give a nod to the BRICS Summit by holding a special exhibition to display high-quality commodities and advanced technology from the BRICS countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The special exhibition will feature more than 5,000 booths and floor space of about 120,000 square meters.

There will also be a seminar to discuss investment and development opportunities in cross-border e-commerce in the BRICS nations.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Georgia, and the Eastern European country has been named the guest country of the 2017 fair as a result.

Georgia will send a delegation of high-ranking government officials to introduce their country's investment environment and business opportunities. Commodities and technology from the country will be exhibited in an 800-square-meter pavilion.

Another large pavilion will be erected to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, while China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region is also expected to put on its own exhibition to highlight its role as an important part of the Silk Road.

The organizing committee will also invite countries and regions involved in China's Belt and Road Initiative to take part in the exhibition, and explain the investment opportunities they can offer.

This year's fair will focus on new information and communications technology, trade in services, modern agriculture, advanced manufacturing, energy conservation and environmental protection, petrochemical engineering, new energy and finance.

The fair will also hold matchmaking events for investment projects in key industries.

Han Jingyi, deputy mayor of Xiamen, said this year's fair will take advantage of the BRICS Summit to explore new opportunities for greater cooperation between BRICS countries.