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May 27, 2020

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People get a chance to taste the world’s best

FOR those who gave up plans of traveling to Italy because of the coronavirus pandemic, there may be a second choice: visiting a slice of Italy here at home.

Covering 400,000 square meters, the Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center in Minhang District includes exhibition halls for imported cars, food, household items and other commodities. About 20 percent of the products are Italian.

As a platform to expand the impact of the China International Import Expo, the center echoes the top priority Premier Li Keqiang mentioned during the Two Sessions: making good preparations for the third CIIE, expanding imports and developing international trade market.

The center has more than 1,200 brands from over 70 countries and regions, with CIIE-related brands accounting for nearly 70 percent.

Year-round opportunity

The food hall displays various kinds of Italian wines.

“The biggest advantage of the center is that it provides all-year exhibitions and wholesale and retail services,” said Liu Qiang, president of wine importer Shanghai SinoDrink Trading Co Ltd.

Liu said convenient transport links to the venue of the CIIE and Hongqiao International Airport makes the center ideal for importers to reach potential consumers and partners.

Thanks to the spillover effects of the CIIE, over 10,000 bottles of Sansilvestro Moscato, an Italian white wine imported by Liu’s company, were sold in the center in the fourth quarter of 2019.

“Many imported products displayed here are not available in other stores and they are cheap here,” said Li Hengyi, a 30-year-old customer.

The first CIIE was in 2018. Last year, a total of US$71.13 billion of tentative deals were reached for one-year purchases of goods and services at the second CIIE, up 23 percent year on year. The third CIIE is scheduled in Shanghai in November.

The Chinese economy has gone through many tough moments, showing strong resilience and great potential for consumption, said Liu.

“We are confident of continuing to introduce high-quality Italian brands and products,” Liu said.




 

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