Aussie businesses upbeat about opportunities in west China

SYDNEY -- Representatives from Australian businesses expressed their anticipation and interest in opportunities in west China, as the latter is eyeing more investment and trade cooperation with foreign countries.

"Western China International Fair is a fantastic opportunity for Australian businesses to showcase their products and to explore investment opportunities in western China," said Alison Airey, Chief Executive Officer of the New South Wales branch of the Australia China Business Council.

She made the remarks at a promotion presentation, held in Sydney on Friday, for the upcoming 19th Western China International Fair (WCIF), an international platform for western China to promote investment and trade, and carry out cooperation.

This year's WCIF is scheduled to be hosted in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, from June 29 to July 3. It will feature an exhibition scale of 200,000 square meters with the participation of nearly 10,000 businesses from over 80 countries and regions, according to Yang Qinglong, secretary general of the secretariat of the WCIF organizing Committee.

The exhibition will not only include professional exhibitions themed digital economy, new energy, new industrialization and health care service, but also showcase local gourmets, snacks and special commodities all over China.

Airey told Xinhua that as many international businesses have been gravitating towards cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the western part of China offers new opportunities for foreign investment.

"The benefit of western China is that it is less crowded. There is a very warm welcome for foreign investment, as there are very affluent markets," she added.

Former Australian Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb said that the promotion is "extremely timely" and he could sense "a wave of enthusiasm" around the commercial sector.

As one of the Australians who will be present in Chengdu in June, Marcello Pinto, investment director of a local company, told Xinhua that he is excited about the trip and is looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of China through this opportunity.

"China is our (Australia's) biggest trading partner, almost all business owners who are international have some sort of deal with China," said Pinto.

"We're looking to basically learn to see what China is doing and what we can learn from, because in China, many of the things are at the cutting edge."