From November 5th to 10th, the 6th China International Import Expo will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), marking the first comprehensive offline exhibition since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the world's first national-level expo with a focus on imports, the China International Import Expo has successfully taken place in Shanghai for five consecutive years. Its ripple effects continue to emerge, and it has evolved from being a "showcase of products" into a global launchpad for new products, a prime location for cutting-edge technology, and a pioneer in innovative services. This event is rapidly accelerating the exchange and cooperation of global goods, technologies, and services, making China's open "grand stage" a gateway to fresh opportunities for major international brands. This article will delve into the charm of the Import Expo.

Hundreds of Global Enterprises Gather at the Import Expo

This year, the Chinese Pavilion at the Import Expo has undergone a significant expansion, increasing the exhibition space from its previous 1,500 square meters to 2,500 square meters. Over 60 countries have confirmed their participation, spanning from the least developed countries to emerging economies and developed nations. International organizations such as the World Trade Organization, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and the International Trade Centre will also be present, collectively engaging in this grand international exhibition.

As for corporate exhibits, there is enthusiastic response, with approximately 3,000 companies having signed up for participation, contributing to a total exhibition area exceeding 360,000 square meters. Notably, around 400 companies are returning to participate after a hiatus of two years or more, showcasing the sustained interest and engagement of global enterprises in the Import Expo.

All Brands Have Excelled at the Import Expo historically

The previous five editions of the Import Expo attracted nearly 3.3 million attendees, with participation from 131 countries and international organizations, and more than 15,800 exhibitors representing businesses. They collectively showcased nearly 2,000 premier new products, technologies, and services. The cumulative intended transaction value from these five expos has already exceeded 350 billion US dollars. Under the impetus of the Import Expo, an increasing number of foreign brands have become steadfast partners in the Chinese market and the Chinese economy.

In the past couple of years, the JAVA Smart Self-Service Coffee Grinder Machine has been showcased at the China International Import Expo and has become one of the popular exhibits. By participating in the Import Expo, this American company not only significantly increased its product sales but also substantially enhanced its brand recognition in the Chinese market. It can be said that the Import Expo demonstrates a powerful "influencer" capability, rapidly transforming a company's exhibits into best-selling products and providing robust support for its development in the Chinese market.

New Zealand brands such as NZL (New Zealand Spring Water) and Comvita have harnessed the momentum of the Import Expo to achieve remarkable growth. During the 2020 Import Expo, the introduction of the "Cloud Signing" channel resulted in NZL securing substantial orders worth 3.5 billion RMB on the first day. This international platform has provided them with unique opportunities, aiding them in achieving significant breakthroughs in the global market.

Hans Han, the CEO of Greater China for the Portuguese household cleaning brand Skip, expressed that their company initially participated in the Import Expo with a tentative approach. However, to their surprise, they received orders for approximately 20 million USD worth of 60 containers on the first Import Expo. This outstanding performance has solidified their status as enthusiastic supporters of the Import Expo. Since their inaugural participation in the Import Expo in 2018, Skip has maintained an annual retail sales growth rate of over 30%. It is anticipated that their retail sales for 2023 will surpass 400 million RMB.

Since the first edition of the Import Expo, the quality of the event has continued to rise, and its international influence has expanded. The Import Expo has evolved into a window for China to establish a new development paradigm, a platform to drive high-level openness, and a globally shared international public asset.

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