HE Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, and Zhou Guangyao, representative of the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), discussed areas of cooperationbetween Centre and the Council, in orderto enhance the presence of Chinese companies in the exhibitions that are held by Expo Centre Sharjah throughout the year. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance the participation of Sharjah’s business community in exhibitions that are organized in China.

The discussion occurred during Guangyao’s visit to the Centre’s headquarters. The visit was also attended by David Wang, Chairman of MIE events, as well as a number of officials from both sides.

Al Midfa stated that Expo Centre Sharjah is keento provide support and facilities to Chinese companies who wish to participate in exhibitions organized and hosted by the Centre, which helps to enhance theirpresencein the region’s markets. He also stressed the interest in developing business relations between Sharjah and China, and benefiting from the exhibition industry in the two countries.

Guangyaopraised the economic relations between his country and Sharjah, and the joint interest in developing and enhancing these relations to the benefit of both sides. Heexpressed the interest of Chinese companiesin enhancingtheir presence in the economic exhibitions held at Expo Centre Sharjah. He also stressed the keenness of attracting companies operating in Sharjah to participate in economic events held in China, which supports trade exchange between the two countries.

China is the largest non-oil trading partner with the UAE and trade relations between the two countries are growing.  Non-oil trade between the two countries is expected to exceed 50 billion dollars (Dh185 billion) a year by 2020, compared to 46 billion dollars (Dh170 billion) reached at the end of 2016, according to the UAE’s Ministry of Economy. There are more than 4,000 Chinese companies in the UAE market, and about 5,000 Chinese brands registered with the Ministry of Economy.