2nd China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS)
With a new leadership in China there has been a new emphasis on building the services sector. May 28 to June 1st, 2013, saw the 2nd China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS 2013) running at the CNCC in Beijing with the theme of “Trade in Services: the New Engine for Value Enhancement”.
During the 5-day event there were over 1,900 exhibitors, representing a growth of 9.1%, and 138,000 visitors, merchants and registered traders representing a growth of 35.3% over the inaugural show in 2012. There was a well advertised Public Day on 31 May attended by 24,000 people – a 71% growth. Attendees came from 117 countries and there were 129 Conferences, Forums, Theme Days and other events. The organizers experienced an overall increase of 41% over the 2012 show.
As a result of the international inter-government trade negotiations taking place a total of 119 domestic and foreign dignitaries, government ministers, heads of international organizations and foreign ambassadors attended the 2nd CIFTIS, participating in more than 150 activities. Amongst the 30 worlds “Top Fortune 500” enterprises attending were key names of Wal-Mart, Cisco, Carrefour, Deutsche Bank, Samsung.
There was an additional 20,000m2 increase in the floor area over the 2012 show; the exhibition expanded from 50,000m2 to 70,000m2 in May 2013. To meet this increase in demand the CNCC prepared an adjacent site with clear space for a temporary structure by Losberger, a contractor for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and also the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010, adding 20,000m2 of space for use by the show organizers.
As one of the sessions within CIFTIS, the negotiation meeting of the Digital Content Industry was held on 30 May. During the session, more than 20 enterprises specialized in digital content participated including Google, China Unicom, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press and Taobao E-book. During the show CNCC offered extensive increase to the WiFi service setting up 24 access points in the north expansion exhibition area. CNCC peak flow of wireless network reached bandwidth of 140MB with 3,000 people using the internet at the same time. An additional wired network reached 184MB bandwidth with 40 access points and 12 LAN access points for exhibitors
The main Elements of the 2nd CIFTIS in 2013
- The Opening Ceremony and Summit Forum (28 May)
- Beijing Summit (28-29 May)
- High-level Forums (28 May-01 June)
- Theme Days (28 May-01 June)
- Comprehensive Exhibition (28 May–1 June)
- Business Talks, Promotions & Negotiations (28 May–1 June)
- Authoritative Information Releases, Signing Ceremonies & Statements (28 May–1 June)
About CIFTIS http://www.ciftis.org/en/
The world has entered the age of the service economy, and service innovation has become an important source of added value. As the manufacturing sector moves into the services sector the trade in services becomes a new force in global trading. Stimulating the development of the service industry is China’s way to continue the improvement of the quality of life of its urban and rural residents and thus develop and restructure its economy in services.
CIFTIS is the first comprehensive platform specializing in the trade in services around the world. Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, it will be permanently based in Beijing. The World Trade Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development are permanent supporters. Defined as a state-level, international and comprehensive fair for trade in services, the CIFTIS currently figures as the only comprehensive trading platform in the world covering the 12 sectors of trade in services as defined by the WTO, namely:
• Business Services
• Communication Services
• Construction & related Engineering Services
• Distribution Services
• Educational Services
• Environmental Services
• Financial Services
• Health and Social Services
• Tourism and Travel-related Services
• Recreational, Cultural and Sports Services
• Transport Services
• Other services eg IT, Knowledge Process and Outsourcing
CIFTIS is hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM), the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality and Permanent Supporting Agencies are:
WTO (World Trade Organization),
OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)
UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development)
