Coffee companies from Rwanda, a major coffee producer in Africa, see the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), which opened on Tuesday in Shanghai, as the best-selling platform to increase brand visibility and expand market presence in China.
Since its first edition in 2018, the CIIE has served as a platform for Rwandan coffee companies to build bonds with Chinese importers and increase brand awareness in the Chinese market. It offers them not only a very good opportunity to access the Chinese market and increase export, but also to promote other beneficial bilateral cooperation.
"I want to participate in the CIIE every year now, so that more Chinese people can know about our products. The samples I brought to each edition of the expo would be sold out on the second day. It's a great opportunity. We won't quit. We must attend the CIIE every year," said Andy, a coffee trader.
Aside from displaying their products, Rwandan coffee companies have also gradually learned about the needs of Chinese consumers at the CIIE, based on which they would adjust their products and services to better adapt to the Chinese market.
"It's a good opportunity for us, for the company to have relationship with China market and to grow up. It's an opportunity and a good step for, in general Rwanda agriculture, particularly in coffee, which will help us to open some areas of doing business," said Diego, another coffee dealer.
Rwanda's exports to China rose by more than 87 percent to a record high 131 million U.S. dollars in 2023.
Themed "New Era, Shared Future", the 7th CIIE is scheduled for Nov 5 to 10. It is attended by 77 countries and international organizations in national pavilions, along with nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions in the business exhibition.
As the world's first national-level import-themed expo, the CIIE has become an important stage spotlighting China's new development paradigm, a platform for high-level opening-up and a public good for the whole world.
Rwandan coffee exporters see CIIE as best-selling platform in market expansion
Reliance on the rule of law remains the key strength of the euro as the currency faces up to the impact of the "fragmentation" of the global economy that is affecting investors' confidence, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on Wednesday.
Lagarde was speaking in an exclusive interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sidelines of the ongoing 2026 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos, where world leaders and experts have gathered to discuss the pressing issues facing the global economy.
As the world economy has faced a series of shocks from the impact of tariffs imposed by the U.S. and a number of geopolitical flashpoints that have further strained global markets, Lagarde expressed her concerns about the risks posed from what she described as the increasing "fragmentation" of the international system which is drifting away from globalization.
"I think I would more likely use the word 'fragmentation' of the world economy as we have seen it for many decades, with international institutions that support and advocate for multilateralism and international cooperation. And we are now seeing a fragmentation of that order, fragmentation of the relationships. Challenges raised here and there, which obviously have an impact on the confidence of investors and the appetite for financing or holding," said the ECB chief.
Despite this difficult backdrop, Lagarde noted that the euro remains a strong currency, currently accounting for around 20 percent of global foreign exchange reserves, ranking it behind only the U.S. dollar.
Given how the euro serves as the official currency in more than 20 European Union member states, Lagarde highlighted how compliance with the rule of law is what contributes significantly to its strength, emphasizing that adherence to legal frameworks fosters a stable and predictable economic environment.
"That probably is strengthening the confidence in the euro, which is obviously based on the rule of law, on the compliance with our treaties, on the independence of the central bank, the European Central Bank, which is guaranteed in the treaty. That's what I mean: an independent central bank that does its job to control inflation and that is not being guided or told by the fiscal authorities what to do, but simply guided by its mandate. Those are clear strengths of Europe and of the euro," she said.
She stressed the role of the ECB and its commitment to maintaining monetary stability, ensuring that the euro remains a robust and trusted currency in the global market.
"A lot relies on a central bank to deliver on price stability, and we will do that and continue to do that. A lot depends, also, on the fundamentals of the economy. A lot depends on the international status of those economies, including international trade agreements, as I said, reliance on the rule of law, its capacity to defend itself, which is something that the Europeans are working on and will continue to work on. So, a currency is not just an isolated element; it relies on pillars that need to be addressed altogether," said Lagarde.
Under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," the five-day 2026 WEF is running in Davos through Friday. About 3,000 leaders and experts from around the world are gathering to discuss five pressing global challenges, including enhancing cooperation, unlocking new sources of growth and deploying innovation at scale and responsibly.
ECB president expresses confidence in euro amid "fragmentation" of global economy
