On December 5, the overseas promotion conference of the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) was held in Sydney, Australia. More than 100 representatives from the realms of politics and business participated in the event online or onsite. Attendees included representatives from the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, the NSW Government, the CPA Australia, the Beijing Chamber of Commerce, Australia, Navitas, Accentor, and Aurum Capital.
Ye Wei, counsellor of the Economic & Commercial Counsellor's Office at the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney, stated that CIFTIS has become the largest comprehensive exhibition in the field of global trade in services and a gateway for the world's service industry, making positive contributions to the development of global trade in services. Australian institutions and enterprises have actively taken part in the previous sessions of CIFTIS with successful outcomes. Ye also expressed his hope that Australia continues to attend CIFTIS in 2024.
Ye Wei, Counsellor of the Economic & Commercial Counsellor's Office at the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney
In her address, Zhou Ling, deputy director-general of Beijing International Trade in Services Center, shared that in the next five years, China's total trade in services is expected to exceed US$5 trillion, which will bring the world more market, investment and growth opportunities. As a crucial platform for China to expand opening-up, deepen cooperation and pioneer innovation, the 2024 CIFTIS will strive to create a grand fair for global trade in services with high international participation and strong sense of gain for both exhibitors and visitors. She also extended a warm invitation to Australian government agencies, business associations and enterprises to join the fair where they can work together for this grand event and share business opportunities.
Zhou Ling, Deputy Director-General of Beijing International Trade in Services Center
Rob Donelly, general manager of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, said that since 2012, Australia has actively participated in relevant events of CIFTIS and its predecessor Beijing Fair, providing Australian enterprises and institutions with a national-level platform to show their achievements. He invited Australian institutions in attendance to participate in the 2024 CIFTIS under the organization of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.
Rob Donelly, General Manager of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission
Damian Meduri, associate director of Investment NSW, said that the service trade between China and New South Wales (NSW) is highly complementary to each other, contributing to a remarkable increase in trade value over the past few decades. NSW has always been a regular participant of the CIFTIS, a great exhibition platform dedicated to trade in services. This was especially true even during the COVID-19 pandemic when representatives from Investment NSW still participated in relevant events of the fair. He hoped that both China and NSW, through the platform of CIFTIS, will see more exchanges and cooperation on service trade in the business, education and tourism sector.
Damian Meduri, Associate Director of Investment NSW
Rupen Malouf, acting general manager of New South Wales Division, CPA Australia, shared his plan to deepen cooperation between the institution and the CIFTIS, hoping that both sides can make concerted efforts to promote the organization of the Event of "CIFTIS-Never-Ends" Series targeting at the Australian market.
Rupen Malouf, Acting General Manager of New South Wales Division, CPA Australia
Fan Yandong, assistant president of Bank of China Limited Sydney Branch, stated that the Bank of China, as a global partner of the CIFTIS, will provide comprehensive financial services support in such areas as investment attraction, exhibition promotion, financial services and event organization during the fair.
Fan Yandong, Assistant President of Bank of China Limited Sydney Branch
In addition, a vast array of famous Australian enterprises and institutions, including Navitas, Accentor, Beijing Chamber of Commerce, Australia and Australian Business Elite Club, expressed that the CIFTIS provides a wonderful opportunity for them to engage in more international exchanges and cooperation, and showed high expectations for the upcoming 2024 CIFTIS.
Lu Fei, Deputy Director of the Division of International and Domestic Cooperation, Beijing International Trade in Services Center
Lu Fei, deputy director of the Division of International and Domestic Cooperation, Beijing International Trade in Services Center, presided over this event. Wang Haiying, director of the CIFTIS Center at Beijing Capital Group Exhibitions & Events Co., Ltd., provided insights into the thematic exhibitions of the CIFTIS around areas of interest to Australian enterprises and institutions such as education services, sports services, and cultural and tourism services.
Wang Haiying, Director of the CIFTIS Center at Beijing Capital Group Exhibitions & Events Co., Ltd.
This event was hosted by Beijing International Trade in Services Center, co-organized by CPA Australia and Beijing Capital Group Exhibitions & Events, and supported by Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney and Bank of China Limited Sydney Branch.
