Italian line-up prepared for upcoming CIIE

SHANGHAI -- An Italy business delegation will attend the upcoming third China International Import Expo (CIIE) with 55 world intangible cultural heritages and more than 80 exhibitors.

"Italian enterprises engaged in the exhibition this year cover the fields of service trade, automobiles, technical equipment, consumer goods, food and agricultural products, fashion, jewelry and medicine," said Michele Cecchi, Italy's consul general in Shanghai.

Cecchi said in terms of cultural exchanges, 55 world intangible cultural heritages from Italy will be displayed at the CIIE.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Italy.

Italy's confectionery giant Ferrero said the company will bring more than 20 varieties of products, including eight new ones, to the CIIE.

"It will be the second time for Ferrero to participate in the CIIE," said Mauro De Felip, general manager of Ferrero China. "In 2019, Ferrero made its debut at the second CIIE and achieved great success. More than 12,000 potential buyers, dealers and consumers visited Ferrero's booth last year."

According to Mauro De Felip, the CIIE has become an important platform for Ferrero to strengthen its communication with key stakeholders.

"Holding the third CIIE as scheduled amid the gloomy global economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic strikes a significant meaning," he said, expressing his confidence in the Chinese market despite the shadow of the coronavirus. "As an Italian company deeply rooted in China for over 20 years, Ferrero will participate in the CIIE as scheduled this year, in line with our long-term commitment to and the positive outlook on the China market."

Italian agri-food company Genagricola S.p.A. is going to present about 100 Italian fine wines. Many of which are new to the China market.

At the Genagricola booth at the CIIE, wines from 20 regions of Italy, such as Bricco dei Guazzi Barbera in Piemonte, Costa Arente Amarone in Veneto, Leone de Castris Premitivo in Puglia, have been put on display.

"We expect to build up a bridge of Italian wine in China, through which Chinese consumers are able to learn more about the people of Italy, as well as its culture, history and lifestyle," said Edward Liu, president of SinoDrink, a Genagricola subsidiary in China.

Italian medical diagnostics company DiaSorin hopes to seek more opportunities through its first-time participation in the CIIE. The company that set foot in China since 2006 is working on establishing its first manufacturing and research site in Shanghai.

A survey by the Italian Consulate General in Shanghai on 161 Italian exhibitors that took part in the second CIIE last year showed that 86 percent of the exhibitors were satisfied with the CIIE, and 91 percent of them said they would continue to participate in the CIIE.