With its unremitting efforts to explore and innovate, the annual China International Fair for Investment and Trade is on the track to become a "world investment exposition", said the event's organizer.

In 2000, Xi Jinping, then governor of Fujian, said CIFIT should enhance its professionalism, internationalization and market relevance to build itself into a world investment convention.

As the organizing committee continues to innovate and improve efficiency, the fair is now on its way to meeting those objectives, said Zhang Canmin, deputy mayor of Xiamen and director of the conference division at the CIFIT organizing committee.

This year's fair aims to be a practical platform to push forward China's national strategies, especially the country's initiatives to organize a Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Zhang noted.

The ancient Silk Road connected China to Europe from around 100 BC, while the maritime Silk Road was used by Chinese merchants to move silk, ceramics and tea to overseas markets.

With the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region the guest province of honor at this year's fair and Malaysia selected as the honored guest country, CIFIT will host several seminars and project matchmaking events related to the two trade route initiatives, Zhang said.

He noted this year's CIFIT will serve as a more informative forum for global investors with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development releasing its 2014 world investment and trade reports during the fair and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization releasing Africa investment and trade reports.

The International Investment Forum will again be the center of attention at this year's CIFIT. With cooperation between global economic development zones as its theme, the forum will have senior officials from the State Council, political leaders from across the world, presidents of multinational corporations and well-known economists exchange views on the global economy.

Zhang said for the first time the organizing committee proposed a "grand matchmaking and grand talk" approach with every seminar and forum at this year's event connected with investment and project matchmaking.

With more than 30,000 projects to be promoted, about 200 matchmaking events will cover key sectors such as infrastructure, advanced communication technology and equipment manufacturing.

The website, which was put into trial use last year, includes an e-map, mobile apps and big data management system.

With CIFIT improving the efficiency by integrating forums and investments projects, the organizing committee has also enhanced service quality by providing investors from around the globe tailored guides of each day's activities to help them join in the exhibitions and talks.

Zhang said this year's fair with also highlight frugality, with banquets and flower decorations being canceled.

"But it doesn't mean budget restraints on promoting investment projects. A lot of money is saved to make the fair a practical event for investment promotion," Zhang said.

Contact the writers at humeidong@chinadaily.com.cn and sunli@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/08/2014 page6)