Swedish enterprises invited to second China International Import Expo

A road show encouraging Swedish enterprises to participate in the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held in Swedish capital, Stockholm, on Thursday.

The Chinese delegation at the event, led by Wang Bingnan, Vice-Minister of Commerce, expressed a warm welcome to around 100 representatives from Swedish corporations, inviting them to CIIE, scheduled for November in Shanghai.

China's determination to import high-quality products offers an opportunity to Swedish enterprises to expand to China, said Gui Congyou, Chinese ambassador to Sweden.

A total of 15 Swedish enterprises took part in the first CIIE last November, covering six exhibition areas and showcasing Swedish innovation.

Partnerships worth $369 million were signed between Chinese and Swedish enterprises during the event.

Marcus Burmester, marketing director with a Swedish food enterprise, said the first CIIE provided an excellent platform for his company to promote their products, share useful information and find potential partners.

To date nine Swedish enterprises, including Volvo, IKEA, medical company Elekta, and water purification company Bluewater, have signed up for the second CIIE.

Sino-Sweden bilateral trade increased 15 percent in 2018, while Sweden's exports to China have grown steadily over the past five years, accounting for 5 percent of its total export volume, Wang said.

Tang Xiaofan in Shanghai contributed to this story.