Want to network with representatives of Fortune 500 companies, find out who’s who among Chinese industrial heavyweights, or grow your customer base? The annual China International Import Expo 2021, known as CIIE 2021, is a great place to all three.

This year, like every year, CIEE exhibitors presented new products created using innovative technology. Siemens, for example, demonstrated revolutionary health care solutions like the world's first photon-counting CT scanner. Nachi, a Chinese technologiy conglomerate, debuted a number of new products including mini robots. Volvo Construction Equipment showcased innovations in electrified and automated construction equipment.

"The Expo visitors are most interested in electrical appliances, food products, and health care solutions. This year, AsstrA experts noticed that most CIIE participants are using new platforms to advertise and sell products. Tik-Tok, Taobao, JD, Pinduoduo, and Wechat are conquering the retail market. On these platforms, Chinese consumers buy products directly from foreign brands and vice versa, i.e. foreign customers buy locally produced goods. These platforms are creating, developing, and organizing their own logistics chains and processes. For AsstrA, it’s an interesting new service development vector,”  says Bian Xiaomin, Foreign Trade Specialist at AsstrA.

Since the corporate group did not have previous business relationships with any of the expo visitors, AsstrA representatives focused on discussions with distributors and agencies of foreign and local companies and exchanged information on logistics and trade needs.

"We received a great deal of useful information about current trends in each industry represented at the exhibition. We heard firsthand reports of the challenges manufacturers are facing as they organize their supply chains, discussed Chinese market prospects for the coming year, and continued to build our network of contacts," summed up Bian Xiaomin.

AsstrA agents pointed out that as of today most Chinese companies are ready to ship goods to the European market. Businesses are looking for local logistics providers with good reputations who can  help organize logistics flows. AsstrA Shanghai is taking active measures to address to this demand.