ehainan.gov.cn | Updated: 2019-12-13
The 2019 edition of the China (Hainan) International Tropical Agricultural Products Winter Trade Fair kicked off on Dec 12 in Haikou, with over 5,300 business people from 32 countries and regions gathering to explore new business opportunities.
The trade fair, which will run until Dec 16 at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, has become an important window for Hainan to strengthen cooperation, as well as seek investment and trade opportunities with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
This is the third time that I have participated in the fair, and the first two fairs have been very effective to promote my business. This time, I wish to attract investment and find good Hainan agricultural products to sell at home, according to an Iranian florist in attendance.
"The trade fair has a large number of visitors and displays great potential of the Chinese market. The company we represent is very optimistic about its business in China," said Xu Tao, manager of a Shanghai-based trade agency dealing with French wine.
"Especially in the context of the BRI, the preferential policies offered by the government in trade have also enabled the company to expand business in China," Xu added.
He believes that Hainan is working hard to build an international tourism consumption center, which will attract more businessmen to discuss business opportunities.
"Last year, we sealed deals worth 1.5 million yuan ($210,000), and during the purchasing period for professional buyers this year, four or five orders were inked on the first morning," Xu said.
Visitors flock to the China (Hainan) International Tropical Agricultural Products Winter Trade Fair on Dec 12. [Photo/Hainan Daily]
Mongolia was invited to be the guest country of honor for this year's event. At the exhibition area, delicately crafted wool scarves, exquisitely packed chocolates, and soft leather boots were displayed. Beautiful Mongolian dance performances were also staged in the area.
Chultem Ulaan, minister of food, agriculture, and light industry of Mongolia noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and China. In the future, Mongolian merchants will actively participate in the trade fairs in Hainan.
In addition to investment and trade cooperation, Hainan is strengthening humanities and people-to-people exchanges with countries and regions along the Belt and Road, making full use of its policy and resource advantages to build itself into a passage for countries in the Pacific and Indian oceans to access China, as well as an international tourism consumption center.
During the fair, 16 other major events, including the 15th Global Rubber Conference, the 2019 National Strategy and Tropical Agricultural Summit, and the Boao International Summit of Rural Revitalization and Beautiful Villages are also being held to solicit the ideas of guests from BRI countries for boosting communication and cooperation between Hainan and other regions.