The Global Hub will welcome a new national pavilion from Uzbekistan after this year’s China International Import Expo.
"Textiles and crafts made by local artisans are particularly popular and we've also brought wines from two major Uzbek wineries to the Chinese market for the first time," said Gao Weihua, an Uzbek exhibitor participating in the 7th CIIE with the Global Hub from Waigaoqiao, Pudong.
Seamlessly integrating with the CIIE, the Global Hub serves as a vital platform for exploring trade system innovation within the Shanghai Free Trade Zone. It has become an efficient channel for overseas products to enter the Chinese market.
Currently, the Global Hub encompasses 34 national (regional) centers and commodity centers, facilitating over 400 million yuan (US$55.71 million) in trade transactions in 2023.
At this year's CIIE, the Global Hub's booth was located in the Food and Agricultural Products Exhibition Area of the National Exhibition and Convention Center, covering an area of 150 square meters and featuring nearly 700 products from 30 countries and regions.
Popular products such as award-winning coffee from Timor-Leste, vodka from Mongolia and rose tea from Syria were available for tasting. Notably, the Armenia Center, Uzbekistan Center and Hungary Center participated in the CIIE with independent booths for the first time. Armenian gin, natural juices, dried fruits and saffron series from Uzbekistan, as well as Tokaji wine and jams from Hungary, attracted significant attention.
Leveraging the institutional innovation advantages of the FTZ and the mature professional trade service platform of Waigaoqiao, the Global Hub focuses on countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. It connects with embassies, consulates and international chambers of commerce, primarily serving small and medium-sized enterprises.
According to Ma Jun, general manager of the Commercial Operations Department of the Operations Center Company under Waigaoqiao Group, several preliminary contract intentions were reached during the 7th CIIE, paving the way for more global products to enter the Chinese market through the Global Hub.
