Companies showcase their latest scientific and technological achievements at the 2018 China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Xiamen, last September. [Photo/VCG]

The China International Fair for Investment and Trade's (CIFIT) organizing committee held a promotional event for this year's fair in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on July 31.

CIFIT, approved by the State Council, takes place in September every year in Xiamen, in Fujian province. 

This is the first time that CIFIT has ever been promoted in central and western China. The organizing committee hopes to make full use of Chengdu's regional advantages, and promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the western area.

The 2019 CIFIT will have a special focus on investment and cooperation among countries and regions involved in the BRI. The organizing committee will hold a series of BRI-themed forums.

In addition, senior executives from the United Nations Headquarters, the UN Industrial Development Organization, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies – and other international organizations -- as well as global executives from multinational corporations will deliver speeches at CIFIT.

This year's CIFIT also includes a forum on international cooperation for transportation along the Maritime Silk Road, with topics ranging from ports and shipping cooperation to port customs clearance facilitation, sea-rail combined transportation and smart logistics.

At present, more than 30 countries and regions have confirmed participation in this year's CIFIT -- including Russia, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

The CIFIT exhibition area will cover 130,000 square meters and include three zones: an Investment Promotion Pavilion, Industrial Investment Pavilion and a Maritime Silk Road Countries Pavilion.