Italy eyes more trade cooperation as guest country of honor at 3rd CICPE

HAIKOU, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Italy on Tuesday unveiled a dazzling pavilion at the ongoing third China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), eyeing more China-Italy trade cooperation.

As the guest country of honor at this year's CICPE, currently being held on the resort island of Hainan, Italy built the pavilion in an area of about 1,800 square meters and has 147 brands participating in the expo, both figures more than double that of last year's edition.

Maria Tripodi, Italian undersecretary of state to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said that the expo marks a new phase of opening up and international communication, and that she expects Italian participants to win applause and recognition from the Chinese market.

Italy also set up a booth for the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, displaying Italian products like jewelry, garments, accessories and gelato machines.

Paolo Bazzoni, chairman of the chamber, said that China is of great importance to Italian enterprises, and participating in the expo generates more opportunities for Italian brands to enter China and start more businesses in the huge Chinese market.

Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Italy in March 2019, bilateral relations have been notably strengthened. In 2022, the total trade volume between China and Italy hit 77.9 billion U.S. dollars, up 5.4 percent year on year.

The third CICPE, which kicked off on Monday in Haikou, will last until April 15. Over 3,300 brands joined the expo and more than 1,000 products will make their debuts.