The Ministry of Commerce has called on local traders, businesspeople and enterprises to participate in The 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE) and seize opportunities to forge new partnerships and expand exports to the behemoth Asian market.

The trade fair will be held on November 5-10 in Shanghai and the Kingdom will participate remotely, promoting products and services online to the international arena, the ministry said on April 28.

Cambodia will take part in the event to find markets for domestic products, promote investment opportunities and attract foreign investors, it said, adding that the Kingdom will also send companies with branches or distribution networks in China to attend in-person and set up booths.

"We invite private companies doing business in Cambodia, or those with branches or distributors in China who wish to participate in the fourth international import exposition timely fill out the forms and submit their projects to the Exhibition Affairs Department under the Ministry of Commerce's General Department of Trade Promotion before May 7, 2021, as scheduled, so that the ministry can help.

"Private companies planning to seek investment partners or sign memorandums of understanding with participating countries should also contact the ministry immediately," the ministry said.

Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) vice-president Lim Heng told The Post on May 5 that the CCC will arrange for its members to attend the CIIE and find more investment partners.

Heng stressed that this trade fair is very important for Cambodia to find international partners for trade, especially in agro-business and technology.

"We have already received this information from the Ministry of Commerce and have been promoting it to members of the commerce chamber who are looking for partners or to do business with China and to attend exhibitions, in order to further enhance cooperation," he said.

While he noted that a sizable portion of attendees are likely to join virtually, Heng did not have an estimate for the number of CCC members who will participate.