XIAMEN, China -- Thousands of business leaders and investors gathered at the opening ceremony of the 20th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center here on Saturday.
Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) President Domingo Yap accompanied some 50 Filipino businessmen to the expo.
Rodriguez said the participation of Filipino businessmen in the fair is a congenial way to attract Chinese investors to the Philippines.
“There are three components in this fair -- exhibition, forum and matching. We are trying to match our Filipino businessmen to Chinese (investors) to go to the Philippines, which is the most important thing.” he said.
Yap, meanwhile, said the event is an opportunity to bank on the good relationship between China and the Philippines in expanding trade and investment in both countries.
“In terms of trade and investment, we are way far from China. That is why we are here to build a good relationship with them. We would also take the opportunity of the aggressive attitude of our President (Rodrigo) Duterte in attracting investors in the Philippines,” Yap said in Filipino.
In his letter, Chinese President Xi Jin Ping said the fair will be beneficial to China and the rest of the world.
“China’s door will open wider and wider and hope that CIFIT will promote two-way investment that can build a strong international and professional brand inter-platform in round high level of opening up. So, it will play a positive role in comprehensive opening up in China and building a(n) open world economy,” Xi said.
CIFIT is an annual international investment promotion event of the largest scale and widest influence in the world. It is a platform connecting businessmen all over the world, where participants exchange views and information in the field of business and trade.
CIFIT consists of an investment and trade exhibition; forum discussion and policy release; and investment project connection.
The three-day fair is organized by the Fujian Provincial Government, the Xiamen Municipal Government, and the Investment Promotion Bureau of Ministry of Commerce. (PNA)
