Xinjiang government plays matchmaker at expo

The government of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has reduced its red tape for the ongoing 2015 Eurasia Commodity and Trade Expo that opened on Wednesday and is striving to instead act as a facilitator for the event and promote more projects as a result, said the expo's organizing committee.

Chi Wenjie, secretary-general of the EACT Expo organizing committee, said, "International and Chinese exhibitors are the main 'players' and a high-level professional business atmosphere is in place."

The official said the government has boosted its matchmaking services for the expo that runs in Urumqi until Aug 16, and attracted provincial level delegations.

As an expansion event of the China Eurasia Expo, the organizing committee expects this year's expo to successfully promote Xinjiang's international trade and obtain more international clients.

The expo is focused on providing a high-level professional exhibition for the emerging autonomous region, rather than covering "a large area on a mega scale", Chi said.

The exhibition zones are arranged in what the expo calls "2+3" - two main zones for the textile and agricultural sectors and three smaller zones for wine, jewelry and jade, and exquisite overseas products, Chi said.

The Chinese government has given priority to the textile and garment industry in Xinjiang, with the aim of creating job opportunities for more than 1 million people.

It is projected that by 2020, the sector will generate a combined industrial value of 163.5 billion yuan ($25.85 billion).

Aksu, Shihezi and Kuerle have become the production centers to boost industrial transfers from central and eastern China.

Inspired by the Xinjiang officials, provinces and cities in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hebei, Fujian, Shanghai and Shenzhen, which have taken the lead in the textile and garment sector, are taking group tours to the expo.

As the source of much of the country's fruit, including melons, thanks to its abundant sunshine, Xinjiang boasts quality agricultural products but its processing sector is feeling the pinch.

The organizers have attracted some 150 buyers to the event and senior executives of fruit processing firms, including beverage and juice processors, and counterparts in the food chain, Chi said.

In the wine sector, 48 local wine companies are taking part in the event, having been selected from the 70 firms in the autonomous region. A summit on the industry will be held in a bid to boost the branding of Xinjiang's local wine.

Seventy-six jewelry companies of which 47 are local are exhibiting their elegant works during the event.

A high-profile Hetian jade forum will also be held so industry insiders can discuss their insights. Hetian jade is precious and is only could be found in the Hetian area in Xinjiang.

"We aim to offer a diverse cultural atmosphere there and showcase leading international products, of which we hope to display the EACT Expo's truly international standards and professionalism as well as its high-end branding position," Chi said.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn