A delegation from the US Consulate General in Guangzhou paid a visit to the organizers of the 2016 China International Fair for Investment & Trade on Jan 13. Led by Commercial Officer Lola Gulomova, the visit was part of a trip to Xiamen, Fujian province.

Qiu Guoyue, one of the fair's organizers, received the delegation and familiarized them with the latest progress in preparing for the event. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Gulomova praised the fair's role in cementing economic exchanges between China and the US.

The consulate general has participated in all 11 sessions of the CIFIT since 2005. This year, it will introduce the federal-level investment promotion agency SelectUSA to the fair on Sept 8 and 9.

Comprising of economic development bureaus, trade promotion agencies, law firms, financial services and investors, SelectUSA will bring a 100-strong business delegation to the fair. Presentations, matchmaking events and investment seminars on the US market will be staged.

A US pavilion will also be set up at the exhibition to facilitate US-based exhibitors and presentations. The US Commerce Department will introduce the US business environment to Chinese audiences at the event.

Economic ties are the keystone of Sino-US relations according to the CIFIT organizing committee, since the two countries account for the world's largest economies. In spite of differences in foreign policy, economic ties have strengthened significantly in recent years, leading to Chinese businesses investing heavily in the US.

By collaborating with AmCham China and trade promotion agencies from various US states, CIFIT now welcomes over 100 trade delegations from the US annually. The fair has become a platform facilitating exchanges and cooperation between entrepreneurs from the two countries.

Edited by Jacob Hooson

A delegation from the US Consulate General in Guangzhou paid a visit to the organizers of the 2016 China International Fair for Investment & Trade in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Jan 13.[Photo from chinafair.org.cn]