Shanghai Expo highlights opportunities for new trade links with the West

A trade exhibition in Shanghai attracted more than 150,000 Chinese buyers ready to swoop on new goods and products – offering businesses in the South West enormous opportunities for setting up new trade links.

The China International Import Expo in Shanghai was held against the backdrop of growing trade tensions with the United States.

Bristol and West of England China Bureau Chief Executive, Dianne Francombe, said the Expo had demonstrated China’s determination to open-up trade routes to other parts of the World.

She said: “Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping called for greater openness and cooperation at the show and businesses in China responded – the Expo attracted 150,000 buyers checking out an unusually wide range of products. The Expo would have given businesses here the chance to sell products to many millions of Chinese consumers.

“With a damaging trade war looming, West businesses have a better opportunity than ever of establishing contact with their counterparts in China.

“As the Chinese economy continues to grow, The Bristol and West of England China Bureau is, with our partners, working hard to provide the links, introductions and a supportive environment through our various networking and information events on how businesses can access these exciting new markets.

“Markets which will become increasingly vital to our economic as BREXIT negotiations unfold – and the damaging trade war with the United States takes hold.”

China Market Specialist Jonathan Smith from Business West attended the event. He said: “The China International Import Expo comes at the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up.

“It is a symbol of China’s continued commitment to international trade and growing the level of imports. While previously much of what was imported into to China was assembled there and re-exported, now it is Chinese consumers that are the end users of imported products.”