National exposition of the Republic of Belarus at the 7th China International Import Expo in Shanghai

On November 5, the Seventh China International Import Expo was launched in Shanghai, which is the most large-scale and global multi-sectoral exhibition event both in the People's Republic of China and in worldwide.

The initiative to hold the expo belongs to Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China. Since the first exhibition in 2018, the event has traditionally been supported by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the People's Government of Shanghai.

In 2024, more than 150 countries and regions are taking part in the large-scale import exhibition event, and more than 300,000 professional visitors and buyers are planned.

The Republic of Belarus is one of the China International Import Expo 2024 participants. The opening of the National Exposition took place on November 6 with the participation of Minister of Agriculture and Food Anatoly Linevich, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to China Aleksandr Cherviakov, Director of the Belinterexpo unitary enterprise of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Natali Kurash.

Director of the Department of Europe and Central Asia of the Ministry of Commerce of China Liu Xuesong, representatives of Gansu and Sichuan provinces and a number of regions took part in the event on behalf of the People's Republic of China.

Besides, on the opening day the country pavilion of the Belarusian exposition, the was visited by Shanxi Province Governor Jin Xiangjun.

The day before, on November 5, the Belarusian delegation took part in the official opening of the Hongqiao International Forum, which heralds the beginning of the main exhibition events. The theme of this year's Hongqiao Forum was "Promoting a High Level of Openness and Inclusive Economic Globalization".

On the margins of the forum, the Belarusian participants held talks with foreign partners and Chinese regions' representatives.

This year the Belarusian side demonstrates the exposition presented in the country pavilion and two thematic locations: "Food and Agricultural Products", "High-Tech Equipment and Information Technologies" with a total area of about 600 square meters, formed by the unitary enterprise "Belinterexpo" of the BelCCI. About 60 domestic enterprises, organizations and institutions are participating in the exposition. The organizers have prepared a rich business program, developed a unique tasting and culinary platform and arranged a number of socio-cultural events for guests and visitors of the national exposition.

The main platform for the presentation events is the country pavilion, where a rich business program demonstrating economic, investment, tourist and cultural potential of the Republic of Belarus is organized. The National Tourism Agency, the National Agency for Investment and Privatization, the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park "Great Stone" and its residents, the High Tech Park, RUE "Beltamozhservice" took part in the preparation and holding of the events. The country pavilion will host the signing of cooperation agreements between Belarusian and Chinese industry representatives.

The Food and Agricultural Products pavilion presents well-known organizations of the Belgospischeprom concern, flagship producers of meat, dairy, confectionery and dessert products. Lidskoye Pivo OJSC is for the first time participating in the pavilion at this year's exhibition. Also, the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange and Beltamozhservice RUE are presented within the thematic location.

The pavilion "High-Tech Equipment and Information Technologies" features a collective exposition of scientific and technical organizations and educational institutions represented by the State Committee for Science and Technology, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Ministry of Education of Belarus.

The pavilion presents the enterprises of the system of the Ministry of Industry of Belarus, as well as the largest industry concerns: Belneftekhim, Bellesbumprom, Bellegprom. The flagship of the IT sector of Belarus – the High Tech Park – is demonstrated for the first time. Among the unique exhibits of the pavilion there is a real tractor from the Minsk Tractor Works.

It should be noted that this year the conceptual design of the country and branch pavilions of the national exposition continues the theme of making the exhibition visitors acquainted with the famous socio-cultural artifacts of Belarus. The country pavilion is designed as Belovezhskaya Pushcha, reflecting its iconic objects of flora and fauna, emphasizing the uniqueness of the natural park.

The special elements of the Belarusian stand include the visualization of one of the symbols of Belarus – the Belovezhskaya Pushcha bison. With the help of VR-technologies, Belinterexpo experts, together with the team of developers, have shot and prepared a separate movie for the visitors to immerse into the world of Belovezhskaya Pushcha and the atmosphere of the living natural park.

The Belarusian organizers have paid special attention to the presentation and tasting of national cuisine. At the culinary area of the Belarusian stand famous chef Anton Kalenik prepares dishes from the foodstuffs presented at the stands of the Belarusian exhibiting enterprises.

The socio-cultural program includes performances of Belarusian musicians and creative groups.

The Seventh China International Import Expo in Shanghai will run through November 10, 2024. The planned events also include thematic meetings and round tables with the participation of representatives of Belarusian business and Chinese business community.