Australian brands shine at the second China International Import Expo
25 Nov 2019
The second China International Import Expo (CIIE) attracted a record number
of Australian companies and generated more than $350 million worth of trade
deals for exporters.
Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the expo on 5 November with a
commitment that China will continue to open up its market to international
companies and seek opportunities for further cooperation.
More than 3,800 companies from 181 countries participated in this year’s
Expo, taking a total exhibition space of 360,000 square metres.
Australia had the second largest number of products on display among
participating countries, with 1,128 unique products exhibited across six
popular industry halls: Food and Agriculture; Quality Life; Medical
Equipment & Health Care; Logistics; Comprehensive Service; and
Equipment. The large presence ensured Australian products and services
gained positive buyer and consumer exposure.
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 Minister
for Trade, Tourism and Investment 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.
The Australia Pavilion attracted an estimated 202,000 visitors during the
six-day Expo. The pavilion featured commercial exhibitions from 20 leading
Australian companies, as well as live beef-cooking demonstrations, wine
tasting and buyer education session. Around 11.2 million online viewers
tuned in to watch the “cooking with the Minister” live stream from the
pavilion’s demonstration kitchen.
‘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,’ says Brent Moore,
Austrade’s Trade and Investment Commissioner in Shanghai.
‘Early feedback from Australian participants is that CIIE is also
increasingly meeting the commercial objectives.’
The total Australia-China two-way trade in goods and services is presently
just over $210 billion, representing approximately 20% of all Australian
exports. This includes an increase of 26% on 2017–18 exports to $135
billion and more than $75 billion worth of Chinese imports.
Contact Austrade for more
information on doing business in China.