Quanzhou city in Fujian province expects to sign dozens of cooperation deals at the 19th CIFIT, which kicks off in Xiamen on Sept 8.

Recognized as the starting point of the ancient maritime Silk Road that connected China with Southeast Asia, India and East Africa, Quanzhou is planning an ambitious return to international prominence by targeting large-scale foreign investment, and sees CIFIT as an excellent opportunity to accelerate this plan.

The city has invited 31 business delegations from countries including Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, UK, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Australia to meet with government officials at the exhibition site in Xiamen, or to take part in site visits at local companies in Quanzhou.

CIFIT attendees will also be wooed by four themed stands showcasing Quanzhou’s business environment, development zone, cooperation with Taiwan and Sinochem Quanzhou Petrochemical Co, one of the city’s largest taxpayers. 

Officials plan to present 214 investment projects at the fair, and have set a target of attracting 294 billion yuan ($44 billion) of investment in total in sectors ranging from infrastructure, urban development and industrial park facilities to services and agriculture.

Thanks to extensive negotiations in the run-up to the fair, Quanzhou expects to sign a total of 70 cooperative agreements during CIFIT, bringing in an estimated $1.53 billion of foreign investment. 

This is believed to include deals in the equipment manufacturing, new materials, new energy, petrochemicals, logistics, creative industries, entertainment, health care, education and food and beverage industries.