Chinese import expo a platform for dialog: ITC director

The first China International Import Expo (CIIE) opens on Nov. 5 in Shanghai, and trade experts from around the world are eying it as a unique opportunity.

Signboards of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) are seen in front of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower at the Lujiazui Financial District in Pudong in Shanghai, China, 11 October 2018.[Photo: IC]

Executive Director Arancha Gonzalez of International Trade Center (ITC) says China is a very big market that many countries are looking at, adding that 100 small and medium-sized enterprises led by the ITC will attend the event.

She says the CIIE provides an important platform for dialogue.

"One, because it's not just about exports. Traditional fairs are about exports. It's also about imports. It signals a commitment of China to move from being a global factory to being a global market. Secondly, it's not just a traditional fair. It's a space for dialog."

She says that instead of unilateralism, multilateralism is the right approach to achieve growth and improve people's lives.

"Well, I think we all live in one planet. Our people, our economies, our societies are more and more linked. This is why I strongly believe in the value of multilateral cooperation to manage our common challenges. So I do sincerely hope that we will not only hear, but we will see more action on the ground towards international cooperation. I am particularly interested in seeing international cooperation in the area of international trade."

New Zealand is one of the countries that will be officially represented at the Import Expo in November.

Following the launch of the Maori Collective called HUI, a group of indigenous Maori exporters from New Zealand will add a different cultural dimension to the Expo.

HUI is a New Zealand term for a social gathering or assembly.

The Maori Collective comprises 11 companies exporting things like wine, manuka honey, fruit bars and a soft drink, and all using China's Tmall Global e-commerce platform.

New Zealand Minister of Trade and Export Growth David Parker says the Collective shows how New Zealand engages with the world through trade. And the government also hopes the Collective will boost New Zealand's international brand status.

Parker says the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement has created a fair platform for the two countries.

"We rely upon fairness in our trading relationships, and of course that's what the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement does. It actually sets fair rules around trade, tariffs and non-tariff barriers. And as a consequence of that Agreement, trade between our two countries has boomed, it's tripled, it's now 28 billion dollars two-way trade in goods and services. There's been investment flows in both directions as well and it has served the interests of both China and New Zealand very well."

Parker also says officials from both countries have spent the past two years working to upgrade and modernize the trade agreement, though some progress is still needed on some points.

Talking about the current relationship between New Zealand and China, Parker says it's very positive, and is getting better thanks to the large population of Chinese residents in New Zealand.