Forum to be boon for IT sector in host city

According to official statistics, electronic information processing and trade business has become a major driving force behind export growth in Sichuan province.

In 2012, the export volume of Chengdu's high-tech zone hit $15.57 billion, an annual increase of 59.9 percent that accounted for 62 percent of Sichuan's total foreign trade growth for the year.

The coming decade create great opportunities for Chengdu since it is a crucial period in the nation's western development strategy, said Li Guangjin, vice-chairman of the Sichuan Federation of Industry and Commerce.

It is necessary to use the forum to attract more investment from outside to Chengdu if the city wants to promote its global image and influence, Li said.

He stressed that companies should capitalize on the forum to promote their brands, learn about new innovations and advanced management strategies, and find the technology or talent they need.

"There are bound to be new challenges to our existing management concepts or mode when large multinationals move in, but we should stay positive and learn from them to better prepare ourselves for going global," Li said.