The World Export
Development Forum (WEDF) was officially opened in Chongqing, China on 9 September
2010 by the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), Ms. Patricia R. Francis.
The WEDF brings together
business experts from around the world to discuss innovations in export
development and export competitiveness.
The theme of this year’s WEDF is ‘Adapting to Post-Crisis World Trade
Patterns, and Lessons for Export Development’.
It is hosted by ITC, the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic
of China (MOFCOM), the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade
(CCPIT), and the City of Chongqing, the 4th municipality of China.
In welcoming the more than
300 guests from around the world, Ms. Francis noted the significance of holding
the WEDF in Chongqing, saying, “In the next few days, you will see a city on
the move that has risen above the export challenges presented by its location.”
Mr. Yi Xiaozhun, Vice-Minister
of MOFCOM, emphasized the importance of exports, saying through trade, many
countries, including China, had achieved sustainable economic growth.
The Mayor of Chongqing Municipal
Government, Mr. Huang Qi Fan, said in his opening remarks that his city enjoyed
a growth rate of 17% in the first seven month of this year, adding, “Chongqing
is aiming to become the engine for growth in central China.”
Vice-Chairman Mr. Wang
Jinzhen of CCPIT said he hopes the conference outcomes would include an
in-depth analysis and communication of the global trading landscape.
Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi,
Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD), and Mr. Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation
(WTO) endorsed the conference and ITC’s work and will be actively participating
in the Forum.
The WEDF will look at the
strategies employed by companies, trade support institutions and policy makers
to mitigate the negative impacts of the crisis, through the diversification of
markets and product as well as service development strategies.
Participants
will take a comprehensive look into a variety of export issues including the
state of world trade, increasing competitiveness through innovation and
financial mechanisms, and long-term potential for export-led growth.
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