Mofcom stakes its claim

The People's Daily today reports on a press conference by China's vice minister of commerce Jiang Zengwei in which he is quoted as saying that the Chinese exhibition industry is growing at 20% a year. That matches BSG's own estimates which is gratifying.

He made his comments in a press conference promoting the 2nd China Expo Economy Forum scheduled for the end of November in Beijing. What catches our eye about this is Mofcom's increasingly direct involvement in the exhibitions industry in China. It used to be the sole preserve of the CCPIT which plays the mixed role of Chamber of Commerce, national trade promotion organisation, exhibition organiser, venue owner and, in some cases, issuer of licenses to hold trade fairs. Oh, and yes, they organise over-seas exhibitions for Chinese companies too. CCPIT's own exhibition industry forum, CEFCO, will be held in Guangzhou next January.

Mofcom's star is on the rise with its high profile Minister, Bo Xilai, a great success as Mayor of Dalian and Governor of Liaoning Province and son of one of the Communist "immortals" Bo Yibo.