“Iran and China enjoy a good relationship, and from an economic point of view, we have many opportunities to work on,” Hamid Adeli, a commercial counselor from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, told People’s Daily Online during the ongoing 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing from Sept. 2 to 6.
The pavilion of Iran, with exhibits ranging from saffron to exquisite artifacts, is a scene of intense activity at the China National Convention Center, one of the two venues for the 2023 CIFTIS.
Hamid Adeli, a commercial counselor from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, at the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2023. (People’s Daily Online/Chang Sha)
Iran also launched an online national pavilion on JD.com, a Chinese e-commerce giant. “Through e-commerce, we can sell our products to Chinese consumers,” said Adeli, adding that the internet channel helps reduce transportation costs and promotes cultural exchanges.
As a three-time attendee of the fair, Adeli hailed CIFTIS as one of the best exhibitions in China, which proves that China’s economy is transforming to a higher quality.
Photo shows the pavilion of Iran at the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2023. (People’s Daily Online/Chang Sha)
“High added value comes from services in international trade, and this platform [CIFTIS] can help the Chinese economy increase the added value of its products,” the commercial counselor noted, emphasizing that the event has taken on growing importance.
On July 4 this year, Iran\’s full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was approved at the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO. More than a month later, Iran, together with five other countries, was officially invited to join BRICS.
These cooperation mechanisms facilitate Iran’s integration into the global economy, he said, adding that the country works to bring more products, especially non-oil ones, to the Chinese market, and hopes the two sides can carry out more cooperation in the tourism sector.
An exhibitor from the pavilion of Iran shows saffron to visitors at the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2023. (People’s Daily Online/Chang Sha)