CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- The fifth Western China International Fair for Trade and Investment (WCIFIT) will be held at Chongqing International Expo Center and Chongqing Yuelai International Convention Center from May 18 and May 21, 2023. What are the highlights of the WCIFIT this year? Let’s see how Zhang Yongwu, the director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce & the Western Fair Executive Committee Office introduced the event in the press conference.

21 activities to build a higher-standard trade and investment platform

The International Cooperation Forum for the new Western land-sea corridor will be carried out to discuss the digitalization of the new Western land-sea corridor during the WCIFIT;

The first Western city promotion for “A Year of Investment in China”, and China (Chongqing) Cross-border E-Commerce Fair, the largest event involving the most industrial belts and the most complete industrial chains in western China, will be held to enhance the level of opening up in western China.

As the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council promoted the key central government-owned projects, a large number of contacts will be signed for the central government-owned projects during the event.

All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese will carry out Belt and Road Annual Meeting for Overseas Chinese Business Organization, to build an exchange platform for overseas Chinese businessmen to share resources and information, make joint efforts to construct the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and Belt and Road and achieve common development.

Forbes China will hold the Forbes China Urban Consumption Development Forum in Chongqing for the second time. Centering around digitalization of consumption development, new changes in business and new trends in retail at home and abroad, and new challenges encountering international commercial streets, the forum will discuss how to further stimulate consumption and promote high-quality urban economic development.

Moreover, the gust countries, gust provinces, and some districts and counties will offer a total of 21 activities to create a high-level trade and investment platform and present more cooperation and investment opportunities.

Further expansion of exhibition scale

The WCIFIT this year will be expanded by 20,000 square meters, an increase of 12.5% compared to the previous session. In addition to the comprehensive image, integrated trade, Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, regional cooperation, provincial and municipal cooperation, automobile and motorcycle industry, health industry, and cross-border e-commerce pavilions, international logistics, and energy-saving & environmental protection industry pavilions will be added. The ten exhibition areas will display Chongqing's achievements in the development of an inland open center city, the Belt and Road, the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, and the new western land-sea corridor and give an introduction to the economic and social development of the guest countries and sister provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities). Large central enterprises, private enterprises, and "special-purpose and new" small and medium-sized enterprises will be invited to present cutting-edge technologies and products in Chongqing.

Under the theme "Innovative Development Driven by Digital Technology," this year's WCIFIT will be held at the central hall of Chongqing International Expo Center for the first time, to showcase the image, key projects, and advanced technologies, and the achievements of national strategic development of Chongqing.

824 enterprises signed up to participate in the upcoming fair

Up to now, 824 enterprises from 36 countries or regions, as well as 26 provinces, autonomous regions, and cities in China have signed up to participate in the upcoming WCIFIT in Chongqing, and the exhibitors from other provinces account for over 50% of the total.

State-owned enterprises like CNPC, SINOPEC, and CHN ENERGY, Fortune 500 companies like Air Products (US) and Suez Environment (France), as well as globally famous brands like Huawei, BYD, and Lark will assemble at the fair. In addition to eBay, Google, and Alibaba International, well-known e-commerce players such as Made in China, Pinduoduo TEMU, Shopee, Kuaishou, Allegro (Poland) and OTTO (Germany) will make their debut at the fair this year.

Additionally, a cooperation promotion meeting will be held for the first time at the WCIFIT this year to bridge foreign businessmen and Chongqing enterprises for trade and investment. International logistics and energy-saving & environmental protection industry pavilions will be added to facilitate the transformation of the fair into a market-oriented industry. General booths will be added to offer chances to experience overseas products and boost urban consumption. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)