Norwegian companies are looking to use their country's status at the just-opened 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) to seek new partners in the Chinese market, with firms from the maritime, energy and green technology sectors among them.
The five-day fair opened on Wednesday at Shougang Park in Beijing, drawing participants from 90 countries, regions and international organizations, with more than 1,800 companies exhibiting on-site.
Norway has been designated as the Guest Country of Honor at this year's CIFITS fair, and has brought along a sizable business delegation to the event.
Among the companies taking part is one based on the country's west coast that farms Atlantic halibut. The cold, clean water of Norway's fjords provides ideal conditions for the fish, which has a longer growth cycle and is harder to farm than the widely farmed salmon. The company says it now sees strong potential in China.
"Obviously [there are] huge opportunities in the Chinese market and we know that there is a growing demand also for high-end products in China. And of course, the quality is our selling point, you could say," said Edvard Henden, the CEO of Nordic Halibut.
Getting Norwegian Atlantic halibut onto Chinese tables requires a full international services trade chain involves a complete international services trade chain, from farming, processing and cold-chain shipping to imports, distribution and restaurants.
For Nordic Halibut, CIFTIS also serves as a key platform to meet potential Chinese partners.
"The CIFTIS is a big fair that makes you see all the opportunities in the big Chinese market for seafood. So I think that it opened up new views for our as a participant," said Ann Kristin Fladset, the firm's chief operating officer.
Beyond aquaculture, a growing number of Norwegian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in marine economy, green energy, digital technology and the health sector are using CIFTIS to better understand the Chinese market.
A representative from the Kristiansund and Nordmore Chamber of Commerce, which is helping organize Norwegian participation in the trade fair, noted that China's large market holds strong appeal for Norwegian SMEs looking to expand overseas and believes there's room for the two sides to expand cooperation further.
"The CIFTIS is a great door opener for us to learn and to get relations and to understand what will be the next steps. As we enter the market like China, we need volume, so it has to be planned very well to go there. And that is what we're doing now. And what is also a challenge is to understand the culture, both of the people and of business,"said Synnove Nes, a project manager at the chamber.
Norwegian companies look to seize CIFTIS opportunities to enter Chinese market
