As the 8th China International Import Expo approaches, companies worldwide highlight its key role in expanding into the Chinese market. From New Zealand's Zespri to Canada's health brands, participants report doubled revenues and innovations tailored to Chinese consumers.
The China International Import Expo (CIIE) has become a key platform for international firms entering the Chinese market. Zespri, a consistent participant in all editions, saw its China sales volume rise by 20 million TE and revenue double over eight years. Zespri's Global Chief Marketing Officer Kok Hwee Ng stated: 'The Chinese market has become a strategic stronghold and a core growth engine for Zespri worldwide.' The company launched red kiwifruit at the CIIE and is exploring local cultivation in China, establishing an R&D office in Chengdu for year-round supply.
Canadian firms have also reaped benefits. As a guest of honor at the first CIIE, Canada signed 48 agreements worth over 1.6 billion Canadian dollars. Consul General Jennie Chen described the expo's scale and energy as astonishing. Jamieson established its China headquarters in Shanghai in 2023, using the CIIE to understand consumer needs. WAT Medical debuted in 2022 with its 'EmeTerm' products, quickly accessing the market.
German water treatment brand SYR has joined all eight editions, expanding its booth from 36 to 180 square meters. International Sales Director Tobias Ramrath noted that the CIIE serves not just as a display window but a trading bridge, facilitating multiple orders. The company invested 50 million RMB in a Ningbo production line, with an annual capacity of nearly 100,000 water softeners. Georgia, as a guest country, promotes its 8,000-year winemaking history via the CIIE, boosting exports. Colombia, the first Latin American guest of honor, saw its chocolate brand LOK grow its booth from 8 to 85 square meters.
These narratives underscore the CIIE's role in trade upgrades, product innovation, and partnerships, fostering global economic interconnectivity.