With a new leadership in China, there has been a new emphasis on building the services sector, and the second annual China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) experienced a great deal of growth this year.
At the inaugural show held at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in 2012, there were more than 1,721 exhibitors and 100,000 visitors during the five-day event. There were 126 conferences, forums events and 458 projects signed representing more than $60 billion worth of business. The organizers are reporting a 40 percent increase for the 2013 show with more than a 60,000-square-foot increase in the floor area to nearly 250,000 square feet during the last month’s event held May 28-June 1.
To meet the increase in demand, officials for the CNCC prepared an adjacent site with clear space for a temporary structure, adding more than 60,000 square feet of space for use by the show organizers.
The CIFTIS 2013 show, with the theme of “Trade in Services: the New Engine for Value Enhancement,” received more than 16,000 visitor registrations from business agents and representatives increasing tradeshow participation by 28 percent compared with the 2012 event. More than 89 countries and regions participated in CIFTIS 2013.
Stimulating the development of the service industry is China’s way to continue the improvement of the quality of life of its urban and rural residents and thus develop and restructure its economy in services. CIFTIS is the first comprehensive platform specializing in the trade in services around the world.
Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, the tradeshow permanently will be based in Beijing. The World Trade Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development are permanent supporters.
Defined as a state-level, international and comprehensive fair for trade in services, the CIFTIS currently figures as the only comprehensive trading platform in the world covering all sectors of trade in services.
