With the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) approaching, a Norwegian entrepreneur has outlined plans for a greater presence at this year's event, expressing strong confidence in both the company's growth prospects in China and the broader opportunities within the Chinese market."
Themed 'New Era, Shared Future,' the 7th CIIE is scheduled for November 5-10 in Shanghai, featuring participation from 152 countries, regions, and international organizations, including 77 countries and international organizations for national exhibitions and nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions for business exhibitions.
In a recent exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker Biomarine—a prominent Norwegian fishing and biotech company that has participated in the CIIE for five consecutive years—praised the expo's role in facilitating partnerships and preparing companies for future growth in China, noting that the Chinese market represents the future.
Johansen noted that this year marks Aker Biomarine's sixth participation at the CIIE, emphasizing the company's plan to sign over 30 agreements during the event.
"This will be our 6th year, as you mentioned. This will be the biggest show that we have ever had in the history of the CIIE for us. We are going to sign more than 30 agreements during the show, and we will be much more present than we had been in any year before," said the CEO.
He highlighted that China's opening-up has created more dynamic sales channels compared to other markets, asserting that investing in China offers a promising future.
"We can clearly see, being an international business operating in China, that China is opening up. They have sales channels and (are) much more dynamic in the market than we see in all the other international markets that we (where we) operate. So that's why we used to say that 'investing in China is like investing in the future' for our business," Johansen noted.
The CEO highlighted China as the company's fastest-growing market and described the CIIE as a vital platform for expanding their presence.
"We have very high confidence in the Chinese market. China is a very important market for us. It's the fastest-growing market for our company. There are 250 million people in China now over the age of 60. And it's growing. We have products and solutions for anti-aging, for healthy aging. And that's why we believe the Chinese market will be very prospective in the future," he noted.
"So it's important for us to be in the CIIE. Sign agreements, build relationships and get ready for the future growth of China. We have been present locally in China since 2011. We have now started to reach a size of our business here in China that it’s time for us to look at building up manufacturing and production locally here in China, not only to serve the Chinese market, but also in a competitive way, to be able to serve all the international markets that we have as well," Johansen continued.
As the world's first national-level, import-themed expo, the CIIE is held annually at Shanghai's National Exhibition and Convention Center.
Since its first edition in 2018, the expo has become an important stage for spotlighting China's new development paradigm, a platform for high-level opening-up, and a global public good.
Norwegian entrepreneur eyes growth at CIIE, expresses confidence in Chinese market
