CIIE Stories丨Entering 'golden gateway' to reap 'golden fruits'

"The China International Import Expo (CIIE) has become a 'golden gateway' to the vast Chinese market," remarked Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his online attendance at the opening ceremony of the fourth CIIE. Gold, a primary color in Kazakhstan's national flag and emblem, holds significant symbolic meaning, highlighting the importance of the CIIE for Kazakhstan.

As the organizer of Kazakhstan country pavilion, the QazTrade - Center for Trade Policy Development is responsible for facilitating the participation of Kazakh enterprises in the CIIE. They offer comprehensive services, including company selection, product supply, negotiation arrangements, and legal compliance. The organization has gained deep insights into the CIIE.

From testing waters to integration

Since the inaugural CIIE, the exhibition area and number of Kazakh companies participating have steadily increased. This year, Kazakhstan's presence expanded even further. Aitmukhamed Aldazharov, General Director at QazTrade, said, "This is our first time participating in such a large-scale organized manner."

"In the initial CIIEs, our participation was more of a trial. We didn't know much about the Chinese market and were unsure if our products would appeal to Chinese consumers. The CIIE provided an excellent platform for mutual understanding." recalled Bekmukhamed Ibrayev, Head of the Trade and Economic Relations Department at QazTrade.

Thanks to the active promotion by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Trade and Integration and QazTrade, coupled with the tangible benefits the CIIE has brought to Kazakh businesses, the expo has become increasingly well-known in Kazakhstan, with its strategic value becoming evident. Aldazharov said, "The CIIE is massive, and many Kazakh companies are eager to participate. This shows that our businesses are mature enough to step onto such a high-level international platform."

Reaping "Golden fruits"

In 2020, the Kazakh government launched the "Export Acceleration Program" to promote the country's businesses and products abroad. As a key executor of this program, the QazTrade has selected 557 outstanding enterprises, providing them with training on international trade regulations and guiding them into export markets.

"Since the signing and implementation of business contracts is a key indicator of the program's success, the CIIE has become the main and high-quality platform for the final stage of this program. Therefore, we see the CIIE as essential to the program's success," Aldazharov stated.

In China, there is a saying: "The government builds the stage, and enterprises perform." The CIIE is a super platform created by China for the world. On this platform, there is not only product exchange but also cultural and cognitive exchange. Companies from various countries collaborate, with mutual benefit and win-win outcomes as the central theme.

At the seventh CIIE, Kazakhstan's country exhibition covered 132 square meters, with the business exhibition covering 260 square meters. About 50 producers from the food and agriculture sectors participated, and contracts worth $120 million were signed during the expo, exemplifying mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.