by Mahmoud Fouly
CAIRO, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) represents a unique and tremendous opportunity for Egyptian exporting companies to enter the massive Chinese market, said the head of the Egyptian Businessmen's Association (EBA) in a recent interview with Xinhua in Cairo.
Noting the CIIE as the world's first national-level import-themed expo, EBA executive director Mohamed Youssef said the expo highlights China's strong belief that "encouraging countries and partners to export to China is as equally important as encouraging Chinese exports to these countries."
Youssef said that the EBA has been actively promoting the CIIE among Egyptian businesses and encouraging more Egyptian companies to participate every year since the first CIIE was held in Shanghai in 2018.
The expo welcomes hundreds of participating companies and hundreds of thousands of professional attendees across the world each year, according to the CIIE Bureau.
"The EBA established in 2007 a special committee, the primary goal of which is to encourage the Egyptian business community to learn more about the opportunities and capabilities available in cooperation with the Chinese market," he noted.
The EBA chief described the CIIE as an embodiment of the opening-up policy with Chinese characteristics, which, unlike the Western models, offers an opportunity for developing countries to develop their economies through win-win partnerships with China.
"I believe that China's opening up will help developing countries to tap on more resources to improve their economies through partnerships with China based on mutual benefit," said Youssef.
Noting that the year of 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the elevation of the Egyptian-Chinese relations to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership, Youssef stressed that Egyptian and Chinese business communities and organizations need to work together to enhance the bilateral ties.
As a guest of honor country at the first CIIE, Egypt has participated in the expo for six consecutive years. In late April, the Egypt Expo and Convention Authority announced that the North African country will take part in the 7th CIIE, which is set to take place from November 5 to 10 this year.
Predicting a significant participation from Egyptian firms at this year's edition of the CIIE, the Egyptian business leader said the expo will bolster the global economy amid challenging supply chain issues. ■
