A RECORD number of Australian companies attended the second China International Import Expo, according to Austrade.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping launched the expo on 5 November with a commitment that China will continue to open its market to international companies and seek opportunities for cooperation.
More than 3,800 companies from 181 countries participated in this year’s expo.
Australia had the second largest number of products on display, with 1,128 products exhibited across six popular industry halls: Food and Agriculture; Quality Life; Medical Equipment & Health Care; Logistics; Comprehensive Service; and Equipment.
Australia also had the fifth highest number of exhibitors attending the expo.
Key Australian brands exhibiting in 2019 included A2, Australia Post, Bellamy’s Organic, Blackmores, Coles, Freedom Foods, Sunrice and Swisse.
Austrade CEO Stephanie Fahey and Ambassador Graham Fletcher joined trade minister Simon Birmingham to officially open the Australia Pavilion, and witness several memorandum of understanding signings.
The pavilion was developed in partnership with Meat & Livestock Australia, Wine Australia, Dairy Australia and Horticulture Innovation Australia.
“In its second year, CIIE remains an important tool for Australian companies to demonstrate the strength of their commitment to China, and has matured beyond being a vital public relations activity,” said Brent Moore, Austrade Trade and Investment Commissioner in Shanghai.
“Early feedback from Australian participants is that CIIE is also increasingly meeting the commercial objectives.”
According to Austrade, the total Australia-China two-way trade in goods and services is presently just over $210bn, representing about 20% of all Australian exports. This includes an increase of 26% on 2017–18 exports to $135bn and more than $75bn worth of Chinese imports.
