ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world’s largest import fair, concluded in Shanghai on Sunday, securing tentative deals valued at $80.1 billion, up two percent from the previous year.
This year’s country exhibition at CIIE hosted 77 countries and international organizations from across five continents. Meanwhile, the business exhibition welcomed nearly 3,500 companies from 129 countries and regions, including 297 Fortune 500 firms and industry leaders – a record high for the event. As of 12 p.m. on Sunday , the fair had attracted 852,000 visitors.
The 7th China International Import Expo ushers in a large number of visitors during the weekend, Shanghai, November 9, 2024. /CFP
The CIIE facilitated nearly 50 trade and investment promotion events, including a trade and investment matchmaking meeting where more than 260 agreements were reached. In total, intended cooperation deals arrived at the event exceeded $9.4 billion.
New initiatives introduced this year included an exclusive buyer selection meeting and a buyer “corridor” near the food pavilion, where over 70 key buyers from industries like catering, e-commerce, large supermarkets, and international trade met with exhibitors in person.
Focused on promoting innovation through openness, the CIIE provided a global cooperation platform where companies unveiled new products, cutting-edge technologies, and pioneering services. More than 400 innovative products, technologies, and services made their debuts at the expo, which covered over 420,000 square meters.
Many new products are unveiled in the medical equipment exhibition area of the 7th CIIE, Shanghai, November 9, 2024. /CFP
The 7th Hongqiao Forum, held alongside the expo, featured discussions on topics like new energy vehicles and energy storage, among other hot issues such as artificial intelligence, consumer upgrades and digital economy. Covering key areas like new quality productivity, new industrialization, business environment, and youth development, the forum attracted widespread attention and participation across various sectors.