CIIE key platform for Norwegian products in China, says minister

The ongoing ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) provides an excellent opportunity for Norwegian companies to showcase their products to Chinese consumers, said Norwegian Minister of Industry and Commerce Cecilie Myrseth.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Myrseth attributed the strong bilateral trade relationship between Norway and China to mutual familiarity and sustained diplomatic dialogue.

"I think what makes this relationship a steady and long-lasting one is because we know each other, and we have dialogue also on political levels, but also the Chinese and the regional industries—they know each other. They have been doing this for a long time, and they have been sharing knowledge and confidence, and we are in the Chinese market with a lot of our products, as the Chinese know, and I hope they know our products as good, healthy, and that you can trust in the regional industries, and that is the ingredients you need for building a healthy and long-term relationship, as we have been doing," said Norwegian Minister of Industry and Commerce Cecilie Myrseth.

Turning to the role of the expo itself, Myrseth said entering a new market requires understanding its consumers and industries, and that the CIIE gives Norwegian companies a valuable platform to promote their products and build that understanding.

"If you want to get into a new market, as for some, the Chinese market is new, then you have to know the market. You have to know the people, you have to know the industry, you have to spend time to also understand what the Chinese want. So this is a great opportunity for Norwegian companies, and there are more and more companies coming to actually be able to promote their products. So I think it's been a wonderful experience for me as well to come here as the minister responsible for this in Norway and see how the companies are doing. I think this is an excellent opportunity for Norwegian companies to come here and make sure that their products are being known," said Myrseth.

This year's CIIE runs from Nov. 5 to 10. Launched in 2018 as the world's first national-level expo dedicated to imports, the CIIE has become an important gateway for foreign businesses seeking access to China's vast consumer and industrial markets.

CIIE key platform for Norwegian products in China, says minister

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced Saturday evening that he would task Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government, following consultations with political parties.

Herzog has invited Eisenkot to the president's residence on Sunday at 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) to formally receive the mandate, according to a statement from the Office of the President.

"This is the time to establish a national emergency government. I will do anything possible to prove us worthy," Eisenkot said on the social media platform X following the announcement.

Under Israeli law, the former military chief has 28 days to assemble a governing coalition and can request a 14-day extension from the president.

If he fails, Herzog may assign the task to another candidate, or at least 61 members of the 120-seat parliament can ask the president to entrust the mandate to a candidate of their choice.

If these efforts also fail, the parliament will be dissolved, and the country will hold new elections.

In the parliamentary recommendations submitted to Herzog, Eisenkot received backing from 48 lawmakers from four opposition-bloc parties, in addition to 19 representatives of Arab-led parties.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was recommended by 46 lawmakers, while the seven members of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party declined to endorse either candidate.

Despite securing the most recommendations, analysts say Eisenkot faces a challenging path to a 61-seat majority government, with divisions within the opposition over cooperation with Arab parties and disagreements with the two ultra-Orthodox parties, which together hold 13 seats.

Earlier Saturday, Netanyahu called for a national unity government, warning against a government relying on Arab parties' support and accusing them of seeking Israel's destruction.

Netanyahu added that a national unity government should include all parties in the current governing coalition, alongside "all the Zionist parties that want to protect our country."

Israeli president to task Eisenkot with forming new government

Israeli president to task Eisenkot with forming new government