China’s first import expo lands deals worth $57.83 billion

India too took part in the event by setting up a country pavilion highlighting its food and agri products, pharmaceuticals, IT and IT-enabled services, (ITES) tourism and services sectors, to gain market access to China.

Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan inaugurated the pavilion and held talks with Chinese officials to increase Indian exports to China to bridge the over $51 billion trade deficit.

Indian firm Jay Shree Tea & Industries Ltd signed a $1 million export contract with Chinese company COFCO (China Tea) for export of Indian black tea to China.

A total of 172 countries, regions and international organisations, and more than 3,600 enterprises participated in the event, which attracted more than 400,000 domestic and overseas purchasers, Sun Chenghai, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau, told a news conference in Shanghai.

Deals for high-end intelligent equipment reached over USD 16.46 billion, followed by $12.68 billion of food and agricultural products, USD 11.99 billion of automobiles, $5.76 billion worth of medical equipment and health care products, $4.33 billion of consumer electronics and appliances, and $3.37 billion of apparel, accessories and consumer goods, Sun said, adding that the value of deals for services hit $3.24 billion.