Business grows with import expo

Editor's Note: This year marks the 5th anniversary of the China International Import Expo. The CIIE Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) launched the "My CIIE Story" activity on June 1 to invite people who are involved in the previous CIIEs to share their stories and have received a large number of warm responses so far.

Employees at Fung Group take a photo at the company's booth in the CIIE.

It has been four years since I was appointed president of Fung Group China. The office where I work was established partly due to the China International Import Expo.

In 2018, the year the inaugural edition of the CIIE was held, Fung Group, a Hong Kong company that originated in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, has built a business network in the Chinese mainland and been connecting Chinese and overseas markets with its experience and global resources.

As one of the first exhibitors of the CIIE, we spoke with government representatives and partners and fully recognized the vast opportunities in the Chinese market. The expo strengthened our determination to prioritize our businesses in the Chinese mainland and this was why we set up a base in Shanghai half a year after the conclusion of the inaugural expo.

The second CIIE in 2019 was the first edition that I participated in after becoming the company's president. It was a big challenge to get all our subsidiaries to get prepared for the trade fair within less than six months, but we managed to put forward an exhibition plan which later proved effective.

The second CIIE allowed the group to better see the value of the expo. We formed a special committee responsible for our CIIE preparations and again participated in the next two editions of the expo despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CIIE is a great platform to showcase our innovations related to digital supply chains. For example, Cobalt, a knitwear brand owned by Fung Group, had during the expos displayed an intelligent manufacturing solution that can significantly reduce the time spent on making customized samples and thus meet consumers' diverse demands. Petit Bateau, a French childrenswear brand, launched knitted bags using the solution during this year's Spring Festival and the products were well-received by Chinese buyers.

The CIIE, together with the Canton Fair and the China International Fair for Trade in Services, demonstrates China's efforts to open up its market and cooperate with the world to contribute to global prosperity.

In light of the trends of digitalization and consumption upgrading, Fung Group will develop new products and technologies to build a more flexible, resilient and sustainable supply chain.

Stephen Fung

The author is the president of Fung Group China and the Chief Executive Officer of Fung Kids.

Five years on, share your CIIE stories with us

Over the past five years the China International Import Expo (CIIE) has gone from strength to strength, breaking new ground on every year it has been held. The CIIE has made landmark achievements in international procurement, investment promotion, cultural exchange and open cooperation.

The CIIE Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) launched the "My CIIE Story" activity on June 1 to invite people who were involved in the previous CIIEs to share their stories. The activity has received a large number of warm responses so far and excellent works are being published in succession.

We look forward to more CIIE stories! Tell us about some of the unique experiences you've had at the CIIE over the past years, from meeting new clients and partners, to opening up new markets and networking opportunities. No matter who you are, be you exhibitor or buyer, or volunteer, you are welcome to tell your stories of the CIIE.

Languages for solicitation: Chinese, English and French

Solicitation time:

For written stories, from now to September 30, 2022

For video materials, from now to November 30, 2022

Collection method:

You can submit written stories, story outlines, graphics or video material demonstrating your personal feelings or those of your team in relation to the CIIE at an online platform.

Scan the QR code to submit your story.

You can also send your written stories to ciiestories@ciie.org with the subject line "My CIIE Story submission", or send videos to ciiestories2@ciie.org with the subject line "Video submission".

Any information you provide to the activity will be protected. Please see the notice on the official website of the CIIE for more details.