By Guo Xinhui, Ren Qian
BANGKOK, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming third China International Import Expo (CIIE) provides a huge platform to showcase high-quality products from countries across the world, which will create opportunities for the participating Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to explore the Chinese market and help Thailand's economic recovery, a Thai commerce official has said.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has a huge impact on the world's economy, and Thailand's tourism and export sectors have been affected the most, particularly regarding the global supply chain and SMEs," Somdet Susomboon, Director General Department of International Trade Promotion with Ministry of Commerce in Thailand, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Thai Ministry of Commerce is working hard to help domestic SMEs out of financing difficulties through a variety of ways, and the CIIE to be held as scheduled brings a good opportunity for Thai SMEs to recover, Somdet said.
According to the official, the third CIIE will feature a total of 25 Thai enterprises. Affected by the pandemic, some exhibitors may not be able to travel to China and join the expo on their own. "Our department has planned to help these companies by providing online trade negotiations. They can also show their samples online at the expo," he said.
"Chinese consumers have a strong purchasing power. They buy varieties of Thai goods yearly, particularly Thai fruits, which are of quality and safety and taste good," the official said. "The CIIE can not only introduce high-quality and safe Thai products into China, but also enable Thai companies to further explore the Chinese market."
Somdet said Thailand's Ministry of Commerce attaches great importance to the CIIE. Last year, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit led a delegation to China to participate in the second CIIE, promoting Thai products and also showing Thailand's potential in trade, investment and tourism to the customers.
The CIIE is one of the few international trade fairs to be held offline this year.
"China insists on hosting the CIIE, showing the world its confidence in helping global economic recovery and development," he said.
Noting that China's continuous pursuit of reform and opening-up has strengthened its trade relations with countries around the world, Somdet said win-win cooperation will always be the mainstream of the world economic development, no matter now or in the future. Enditem
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