The first China International Import Expo has opened at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, China.

The expo, which began on Monday, November 5, has 172 countries and 3,600 companies from across the world participating. Ghana Cocoa Board and other Ghanaian cocoa processors as well as chocolate makers are featured prominently at the Business and enterprise pavilion. It is on the theme: “New Era, Shared Future”, sets the agenda for China to create a window of imports globally.

A statement issued by COCOBOD and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said it would close on Saturday, November 10. Seven countries from Africa, including Ghana, have pavilions dedicated to showcasing their products and what their countries have on offer.

Speaking on the side-lines of the opening ceremony, Mr Emmanuel Adem Opoku, the Deputy Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board In-Charge of Operations, expressed optimism at Ghana’s products, especially chocolates and raw cocoa beans, making inroads on to the Chinese market.

At Ghana Cocoa Board’s booth located at H 8.2 C11-01 at the expo, various chocolate and cocoa products being exhibited are from Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), Cocoa Processing Company Limited, Niche Cocoa Industries limited and Produce Buying Company Shea Limited are attracting maximum attention by visitors to the expo.

The New Products Development Unit of CRIG is showcasing cocoa wine in addition to the variety of chocolates and products on display. Mr Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, who opened the Expo, said China was on the path of widening its trade gates by prospecting for opportunities to buy from the rest of the world.

‘We need to expand market access to the rest of the world, which demonstrates China's consistent position of supporting the multilateral trading system and promoting free trade,’ he added. This, he said, was a concrete action by China to advance an open world economy and support economic globalisation. The Import Expo provides a huge market opportunity for both buyers and exhibitors.

The Expo edifice is situated on a 300,000 square metre land with 400,000 registered Chinese and foreign buyers.