The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) has named Zhuhai – and more specifically Hengqin – as the location of the 12th China-LAC Business Summit from 1 to 2 November 2018. The summit will be held at the Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center (CEC), located in Shizimen Central Business District, part of Hengqin New Area.

First held in 2007, the China-LAC Business Summit alternates between China and Latin America. Tangshan in Hebei Province hosted the event in 2016 followed by Punta del Este in Uruguay last year.

The summit attracts delegates from nearly 30 LAC countries each year. Attendees include state government leaders, a range of topical experts, representatives of international organizations and business associations as well as entrepreneurs. Scheduled events include business matchmaking, seminars, round-table conferences for trade promotion agencies and business associations and training sessions for industrial and commercial personnel.

According to Zhuhai Vice Mayor Lu Xiaofeng, Zhuhai was chosen this time due to its pivotal role in China’s relationship with the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Last November, the city successfully held the first China-Latin America & Caribbean International Exposition in Hengqin. During the three-day trading expo, which attracted 50,000 entrepreneurs, officials and business magnates, 73 project agreements valued at RMB3.2 billion were signed between Hengqin and Latin American countries, according to the Zhuhai government website.

The China-Latin America Economic & Trade Cooperation Park in Hengqin was unveiled during the expo and contracts have been signed for 15 projects from Latin American nations to be established in the park, also the first of its kind in the mainland. The park will play an important role in economic and trade cooperation with Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries, said Vice Mayor Lu.