CIFIT offers global opportunities

Businessmen from economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative are flocking to Xiamen, Fujian province, to explore the opportunities made available at the annual China International Fair for Investment and Trade, which kicked off on Sept 18.

All ASEAN countries have sent representatives to the event, showcasing products and technologies in aviation, property development, tourism, agriculture and food, according to Zheng Peizhi, head of the Malaysia-Xiamen Chamber of Commerce.

He said an ASEAN-themed business forum and a youth leader summit will be held during the fair, where delegates will explore potential cooperation.  

Tian You, an exhibitor from Malaysia, said: "We think the Belt and Road Initiative will generate a lot of opportunities, and we hope to find partners at the fair."

On the eve of the fair, organizers held a New Silk Road Development Exchange Meeting, attracting some 300 political and business representatives from economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Zhang Zhinan, executive vice-governor of Fujian province, said the meeting was designed to prompt those economies to facilitate exchanges and share opportunities for development.

Georgia, a guest country of honor at the fair and also a country participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, has sent a 150-member delegation to the fair and built an 800-square-meter national pavilion.

It is holding a number of forums during the fair, offering platforms for businesses to learn more about investment opportunities in the country.

More than 50 representatives from 28 World Trade Centers and business delegations from North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific are attending the 2017 fair in Xiamen, according to the World Trade Centers Association.

Founded in 1970, it is a nonprofit, non-political association dedicated to the establishment and effective operation of World Trade Centers as instruments for the promotion of international trade. Currently, there are more than 300 World Trade Centers in nearly 100 countries around the world.

In recognition of the leading role the fair plays in facilitating investment and trade in China and the rest of the world, the association has organized successful participation at the event for six years in a row.

Among the many highlights of this year's program, the association will showcase its global network and branding, as well as the participating World Trade Centers at its pavilion.

"I would like to invite everyone to visit our pavilion and attend our forum, so that we can share with you how the World Trade Centers Association honors its mission to grow trade and contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative," said Scott Ferguson, CEO of the association.

The association is to co-host a forum with the China-Britain Business Council, with a focus on the opportunities and cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative.