(Yicai) Nov. 6 -- The ongoing China International Import Expo in Shanghai is creating new business opportunities for African countries and businesses, while also injecting more energy and vitality into global economic development.

At this year's CIIE, the guest of honor country Tanzania is showcasing the extraordinary achievement of its cooperation with China on the Tanzania-Zambia Railway 50 years ago, as well as exhibiting key Tanzanian products such as honey, sisal, tea, cashew nuts, and wine.

Tanzania’s ambassador to China Khamis Mussa Omar told Yicai that the country has participated in the trade show for seven consecutive years because the CIIE is an important window for promoting economic and trade exchanges with China.

He added that Tanzania has been granted zero tariffs on 98 percent of the items it exports to China, which include high-quality agricultural produce such as avocados and many aquatic products.

Elizabeth Kalambo, chief executive of Tanzanian textile firm Sisalana, told Yicai that this is the company’s first time to participate in the CIIE, and the aim is greater exposure in the large Chinese market and to listen to the needs of local importers.

Sisalana is the largest sisal weaver in East Africa, Kalambo told Yicai, and China is Tanzania’s largest importer of fiber products.

Because of its toughness and resistance to seawater erosion, sisal is an ideal raw material for items used in shipping, such as mooring ropes, sacks and carpets. Tanzania is the world's second-largest sisal producer, and 70 percent of the sisal used in China is imported.

The exhibition zone for Africa has been expanded at this year’s CIIE, partly as a measure to implement the cooperation proposed at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Tang Wenhong, assistant minister of commerce, said at a press conference last month that 37 less developed countries have been invited to the CIIE, with free booths offered to their exhibitors.

Editor: Tang Shihua, Tom Litting