Brief Introduction to CIFIT

The annual CIFIT, which is held in Xiamen during Sept. 8-11, is sponsored by China 's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), and co-sponsored by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) , Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and China International Investment Promotion Association (CIIPA). The numerous CIFIT members from Provincial Governments throughout China , relevant ministries, commissions, and offices under China 's central government, as well as national trade associations organize delegations to participate in the Fair.

In April 2005 ， CIFIT was approved by UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry). With the dual themes of "Introducing FDI" and "Going Global", CIFIT bases itself on China 's policy guidelines concerning absorption of FDI, publicizing China 's investment policies, laws and environments of investment while encouraging Chinese enterprises to "go global". Foreign governmental institutions, commercial associations and enterprises are invited to introduce their foreign investment policies, investment environments and investment projects, and to network with potential Chinese enterprises. The "International Investment Forum", "Forum on the Economic Zone on the Western Coast of the Taiwan Straits" and dozens of seminars on hot investment issues ， as well as the matchmaking symposia held during CIFIT ， have contributed to the growing popularity and strategic significance of this international investment event.

Since the implementation of reform and opening-up, Chinese government has been committing itself to promote foreign investment in China , as well as encouraging powerful Chinese enterprises to invest overseas for international economic cooperation. With all-round demonstration and introduction of China's investment environments, investment policies, investment projects and products, CIFIT offers optimum opportunities for business people home and abroad to understand investment policies in China, obtain information on key investment projects, select investment projects and contact Chinese economic and trade officials at all levels. On the other hand, CIFIT serves as a big stage to promote investment for countries around the world, especially developing countries, attract investors, traders, intermediate service agencies, financial institutions, and investment promotion institutions around the world, multinationals and their offices and branches in China, large foreign-invested enterprises in China, and domestic enterprises intending to invest overseas set up booths in each session of CIFIT. Following the 4th CIFIT, investment promotion agencies from more than 10 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, America and Australia started flocking for participation and held investment presentation and promotion. CIFIT has evolved into a grand meeting for internationally bilateral and multilateral investment cooperation ， which was initially a one-way business initiation event for China's attracting foreign investment.

http://www.chinafair.org.cn/

Xiamen , on the southeastern coast of China , to the west of Taiwan Strait , covers a total area of 1,569.3 square kilometers and has a registered household population of 1.42 million at the end of 2004 and a permanent population of about 2.19 million. Under the jurisdiction of the municipality are six districts Siming, Huli, Jimei, Haicang, Tong'an and Xiang'an.

Dubbed " China 's coziest city", Xiamen has a pleasant climate, picturesque views and clean and tidy environment. In 2002, Xiamen received the Gold Medal at the "International Nations in Bloom" competition in Stuttgart , Germany . Domestic awards have included " National Sanitary City ", "National Garden City", " National Model City for Environmental Protection", "National Excellence in Tourism", "National Top 10 Most Livable Cities"and "National Habit Award". In 2004, Xiamen is world's only city to win the 2004 UN Habit Award.

Xiamen was one of the first four special economic zones (SEZ) in China . One of the few municipalities enjoying independent status in state economic planning, Xiamen enjoys provincial level autonomy and local legislative power in economic administration.

Xiamen is one of the most competitive cities in China . According to the 2005 Competitiveness Report of Cities in China , Xiamen is regarded as one of Top 10 cities in terms of competitiveness in Mainland China , and it also ranks the top in comprehensive competitiveness of government service, legal system, system building, culture & education, infrastructure, market openness, etc.

Xiamen has become one of the most important ports in China for international trade and cross-Straits trade. Two nationwide investment promotion events are annually held in Xiamen---- "China International Fair for Investment and Trade" and "China Xiamen Machinery and Electronics Exhibition".

Xiamen has been a hot destination for foreign investment. By the end of 2004, 6523 foreign-invested projects have been approved with a total contractual value of USD21.8 billion of which USD14.0 billion has been paid up.