Middle East companies view CIIE as ideal platform for China expansion

The China International Import Expo has been one of the best channels for enterprises in the Middle East to enter the Chinese market, Abdulrahman Mohamed Al Hosani, director of services department at Dubai Exports, said at an online roadshow for the fourth CIIE on May 24.

Al Hosani expects exporters in Dubai and other regions in the Middle East to actively explore the Chinese market and promote economic and trade cooperation with China through the annual expo.

Guided by the Belt and Road Initiative, the trade volume between China and Middle Eastern countries has grown rapidly in recent years.

According to Ning Feng, vice president of the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai where the CIIE is held, more than 430 companies from nearly 20 Middle Eastern countries participated in the expo in the past three years, presenting Chinese consumers with products ranging from castile soap from Lebanon to jewelry from Saudi Arabia and gold embroidery from Qatar.

"We see great potential in Middle Eastern exports to China and will work with governments and business communities in the Middle East through the CIIE platform to facilitate exchanges and cooperation between the two sides and contribute to the economic recovery of Middle East countries," said Xie Qinsheng, minister counselor of economics and commerce of the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia.