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Beijing to kick off 2nd service trade fair

By Zhang Junmian: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, February 19, 2013

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The Second China (Beijing) International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) will convene in Beijing, the capital of China, between May 28 and Jun. 1, 2013, the municipal government announced during the unveiling ceremony of a 100-day countdown clock held on Sunday in the city.

Chinese and foreign company representatives sign contracts during the first China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China, June 1, 2012. [Xinhua]

This year's fair will kick off at the China National Convention Center, Lu Yan, secretary general of the CIFTIS organizing committee and director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce, told the press conference.

The fair, initiated in 2012, is the world's only comprehensive trading platform which covers the 12 fields of service trade as defined by the World Trade Organization (WTO), namely, business services, communication services, construction and related engineering services, distribution services, educational services, environmental services, financial services, health and social services, tourism and travel-related services, recreational, cultural and sports services and transportation et al. services.

This year's fair will focus on 11 sectors, including conference and exhibition services, designing services and financial services, Lu said, adding that many countries, including the UK, South Korea, Singapore, Uruguay and Brazil, have confirmed they are sending delegations to Beijing.

Lu said the five-day event will be even bigger this year, with its exhibition area being expanded from about 50,000 square meters to nearly 70,000 square meters.

The 2013 CIFTIS aims at boosting the service trade economy as a new engine for value enhancement.

The first-ever CIFTIS was attended by 1,721 exhibiting enterprises both from home and abroad, more than 2,900 registered overseas businessmen from 82 countries and regions, and over 100,000 visitors, with contracts signed for 458 projects. Total turnover reached US$60.1 billion, including US$11.2 billion in international service trade.

The CIFTIS consists of six sections, including its opening ceremony and summit forum, high-level forums, business talks, a comprehensive exhibition, daily themed activities and an authoritative information release.

Based on exhibitions and professional conferences, the CIFTIS is focused on business matching and project-based discussions, aiming to promote the exchange and cooperation between Chinese and foreign service trade companies. It also acts as a window to display the latest development in China's service sector.

The annual event is hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and organized by the Beijing Municipal Government.

Please visit the CIFTIS website: http://www.ciftis.org/en/ for more details.

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