ILOILO City businessmen have been invited to participate in the 5th China (Quanzhou) Maritime Silk Road International Brand Expo in Fujian, China from April 18 to 21.
Wen Jinhui, vice secretary-general of Quanzhou Municipal People’s Government, along with Liao Yabin, vice chairperson of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Quanzhou Branch; Qiu Hanqing, chairman of CCPIT Shishi Branch; Zhou Shiwei, general manager of Quanzhou Huiyuan International Exhibition Co. Ltd; and Mr. Lin Hai, staff of the General Office of Quanzhou Municipal People’s Government visited and personally invited the businessmen on Wednesday, February 13.
“The expo is a platform by businessmen in Iloilo City to have their products sold in China and this partnership is only the start of everything and we do hope that this will last for a long time,” Mayor Jose Espinosa III said.
Espinosa said the organizer will pay for the registration, booth space, and accommodation of exhibitors in the expo that is expected to draw more than 30 countries.
Jinhui said the expo being held yearly is sponsored by the Chinese government and aims to promote products from various countries.
“Through this event, it will boost and enhance our relationship between two cities,” Jinhui said.
On his first visit, Jinhui said Iloilo City is beautiful as he was impressed with the metropolis.
In July last year, Espinosa and Wang Ruiqiang, representative of Quanzhou City, signed a letter of intent for a Sister City agreement.
“We have helped our local businessmen in their packaging, labeling and presentation of their products, and this will be a good venue to market their products to the foreign market. And at the same time, China will be able to see what are our products especially that we are positioning Iloilo as a global city,” Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office (Leipo) head Ritchel Gavan said.
The business sector welcomed the invitation from Quanzhou.
“This is really a good opportunity for our local businessmen and crossing fingers that we could organize a delegation that could go there. From our end, we would like to see how they organize trade fairs and it be can be a learning experience to know the incentives since the local government units are providing support for the exhibitors,” Iloilo Business Club executive director Lea Lara said. (PR)