Online promotion of 5th China Int'l Import Expo held in Spain

An online event to promote the 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Spain was held Thursday.

The event, jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Spain, the China International Import Export Bureau and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Europe) S.A. Branch in Spain, attracted over 100 representatives of Spain's regional governments and institutions and companies from both countries.

The CIIE fair demonstrated China's firm resolution to share its market opportunities with the world since its annual imports of goods and services have an estimated value of around 2.5 billion U.S. dollars, said Chang Hexi, counselor of the Office of Economy and Trade of the Chinese Embassy in Spain, in his inaugural speech.

At the end of 2020, China had been the world's second largest import market for 12 consecutive years, as well as the main export destination of myriad countries and regions.

Spain is China's fifth largest trading partner in the European Union (EU), while China is Spain's largest trading partner outside the EU and its main economic and commercial partner in Asia.

Over 60 Spanish companies took part in last year's fair and the exhibition area grew 17.8 percent to 4,500 square meters with a transaction volume of 392 million U.S. dollars.

The CIIE fair has become a high-quality platform for Spanish companies, especially for small- and medium- sized companies, to explore the Chinese market.

Spanish foods -- such as ham, wine, olive oil and canned tuna -- beauty products, textiles and clothing are very popular in China. Past orders at the fair has also shown that the market for Spanish machinery and large equipment is also promising.

Pablo Lopez Gil, general director of the Forum of Leading Brands of Spain, said that he appreciated the openness and potential of the Chinese market and would bring more Spanish brands to the fair.

The 5th CIIE will be held on Nov. 5-10 this year in Shanghai, China.