A promotional conference of the sixth China International Import Expo was held in Panama City in Panama on April 4 local time to attract more enterprises from the country.

The conference was attended by more than 80 representatives from the Panamanian government, enterprises, and Chinese and Panamanian media outlets.

Chinese Ambassador to Panama Wei Qiang said during the conference that Panamanian products like beef, aquatic products, fruits, coffee, and bottled water have entered the Chinese market and become popular among Chinese consumers since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

The Chinese market has huge consumption potential, Wei said, adding that the value of China’s imports is expected to exceed $22 trillion by 2030. He expressed hope that China and Panama can enhance economic and trade cooperation through the sixth CIIE.

Liu Fuxue, deputy-director general of the CIIE Bureau, said at the conference that Panama has attended every edition of the CIIE since it brought its golden pineapples and Geisha coffee to China at the inaugural expo in 2018.

He stressed that the CIIE is a good opportunity and new platform to advance the relationship and cooperation between China and Panama.

Carmen Gisela Vergara, executive director of the Export and Investment Promotion Authority of Panama (ProPanama), said that Panama’s active participation in the CIIE has achieved good results. ProPanama will work together with the Panamanian government and business associations to support more enterprises to participate in the expo and bring more products to the Chinese market.

During the conference, several organizations, including ProPanama, signed a memorandum of cooperation with the CIIE Bureau, while two Panamanian companies K&R and Bambito Estate signed up for this year’s expo.