Sino-Czech engineering cooperation embraces great potential

Organized by BVV Trade Fairs Brno， the leading exhibition of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe – the 58th International Engineering Fair （“MSV”） from 3 to 7 October 2016 was attended by 1，711 companies – the most since 2012 – on a net exhibition area of over 44，000 square metres， the highest since 2008. The fair also registered record attendance. During the first four days， the total number of visitors was estimated to exceed 80，000.

Over the past five years， China is the fourth largest trade partner of the Czech Republic and the second largest importer （since 2006）. For the Czech Republic， China is the 18th largest export market. As an important trade partner of Czech， China was invited as the Partner Country of MSV this year. Hall A1 of the Brno Exhibition Centre became China’s national pavilion for the whole week. It was historically China’s largest exhibition at the International Engineering Fair and a spectacular presentation at European exhibitions ever. The preparation of the exhibition took six months and the main organizer - China Council for the Promotion of International Trade （CCPIT） and International Chamber of Commerce in China （CCOIC） present an area of 3，900 square meters， among them major companies from Beijing， Shanghai， Tianjin， Zhejiang and other places.

Government and business leaders attended the Opening Ceremony of the Chinese Pavilion on 3 October. Milo？ Zeman， the president of the Czech Republic， pointed out the fact that there are 150 Chinese exhibitors and about 500 Chinese guests at this trade fair opens a new phase in cooperation between the two countries. Jiang Zengwei， Chairman of CCPIT， Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade， remarked：“China’s participation presents 150 companies representing all major sectors of Chinese industry. We are presenting our highly advanced products and latest technologies for industrial development here， which will certainly contribute to further cooperation between the two countries as it has been growing at a rapid pace recently.”

Ji？í Kuli？， CEO of Brno Trade Fairs， congratulated China for putting up a wonderful exhibition and shared his personal impression for China. He said， “China of today， is no longer an assembly line that manufactures billions of cheap socks and toys， but a country that builds skyscrapers and high speed trains at rocket speed， ultramodern subway systems， airplanes. I believe we must consider China as a partner. That′s why we invited you as the Partner country of MSV. ”

The International Engineering Fair （MSV） is the leading industrial trade fair in Central Europe with annual participation reaching more than 1，500 exhibitors and 75，000 visitors from over 50 countries worldwide. More than a third of the exhibitors are from abroad. 70% of the visitors are decision makers and buying influencers， a third of them are in senior management roles. Next year， the exhibition will be held from 9 to 13 October 2017 again at Brno Exhibition Centre.