CIIE provides enormous opportunities for global exporters: Ethiopian businessman

Addis Ababa, November 9, 2023 (FBC) – The China International Import Expo (CIIE) offers a significant and distinctive opportunity for global exporters to access the vast Chinese market, Gizat Worku, general manager of the Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association said recently.

The CIIE is an invitation for countries worldwide to promote their products in China, representing a substantial opportunity to export to one-fifth of the world’s population, Gizat said.

Participation in the CIIE also allows enterprises to assess their position in comparison to other competitors, he said, noting his country has yet to fully exploit the immense Chinese market.

In 2022, bilateral trade volume reached 2.67 billion U.S. dollars, with a year-on-year growth of 0.4 percent. China is Ethiopia’s largest trading partner, the top source of investment, and the leading contractor for projects, Xinhua reported citing Chinese official figures.

“The expo would give the Ethiopian exhibitors a big opportunity to enjoy 20 percent of the world consumers and sell their industrial or agricultural products at better prices,” he said.

Mr. Gizat referenced statistics from previous CIIE sessions, where 633 companies from 50 African countries participated, including 31 Ethiopian companies with an average intended transaction amount of 26.59 million U.S. dollars per session.

He highlighted the rapid economic growth in China following its market opening to the world, resulting in heightened expenditure by Chinese citizens on global products, fostering mutual benefits for both China and other nations.

Noting that the demand for Ethiopian coffee in the Chinese market is witnessing a dramatic increase, Gizat said that his association envisions exploring the vast Chinese market by providing desired high-quality products and delivery standards.

“The volume of coffee Ethiopia exports to China continues to grow each year. Just a few years ago, Ethiopia’s annual coffee exports to China were not more than 2,000 tons. However, now the volume of coffee being exported to China has surged to over 11,000 tons per year,” he said.