Ningbo companies are seeking opportunities for business cooperation at the onging 5th China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) from May 28 to June 1 in Beijing.

Featuring the theme of "Openness, Innovation and Integration" and the development of the trade in services sector, the five-day fair, with an exhibition area of 50,000 square meters, is focusing on areas including science and technology, the internet, culture and education, finance, tourism, and healthcare.

A total of five Ningbo-based companies and organizations, including Zhejiang Great Tao E-Commerce Corporation and the University of Nottingham Ningbo Campus, have set up exhibition stands this year.

Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo, paid a visit to Ningbo-based companies on May 28.

During Qiu's visit, he discussed with the exhibitors and encouraged local companies to expand cross-border commerce by seizing the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative.

He also suggested that universities and the local government should take active measures to attract more talented international students to start their businesses in Ningbo.

Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, this year's fair is expected to showcase the latest achievements of trade in services and act as a communication platform for companies around the world specializing in the relevant industries to engage with each other.

More than 2,500 companies from 120 countries and regions around the world are attending the event.

As the first comprehensive platform specializing in the trade in services around the world, CIFTIS has been successfully held in four years since 2012 and has now permanently settled in Beijing.

Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo, communicated with exhibitors of Ningbo-based companies at the 5th China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, on May 28. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]