The 18th ICIF kicks off in Shenzhen, eyes global cultural cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The 18th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) has commenced beginning Dec 28 in Shenzhen, China.

According to Shenzhen Municipal People's Government in a statement, this year’s ICIF will be held mainly offline, complemented by synchronised online exhibitions.

It said that over 2,500 governmental delegations, cultural institutions and businesses are expected to attend the fair on-site, while 800 institutes and enterprises would set up online booths.

“The ICIF is the first cultural fair in China recognised by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, (and the exhibition) has now grown into a key engine for China's cultural industrial growth, as well as an important platform and window to spread Chinese culture to the world,” it said.

The municipality said an international exhibition hall has been set up on this year's cloud ICIF with 300 overseas cultural institutions and businesses from 30 countries and regions across the globe invited to participate in the online fair.

“Domestic and foreign cultural products and projects are also being displayed on the online platform, with a strong emphasis on promoting cultural exchange and trade between China and other countries along the Belt and Road (Initiative) and expanding the international network for cultural trade.

“Additionally, this fair has opened up new avenues for attracting foreign investment and exhibitors to engage more domestic and international cultural institutions and businesses, and help exhibitors accelerate their integration into China's dual circulation development pattern and develop new markets,” it said.

The local authority also said that since its inception in Shenzhen in 2004, the fair has seen a continuous increase in exhibition scale, audience, and level of internationalisation.

“According to statistics, every year, the ICIF gathers over 100,000 exhibits from cultural and creative industries at home and abroad, and more than 4,000 cultural investment and financing projects are displayed and traded at the fair.

“The fair has become a signature event to showcase Shenzhen's achievements in economic, social and cultural development and an important window into this growing metropolis,” it added.

As a note, dual circulation is part of China’s development strategy to become self-reliant in terms of resources, technology and demand via its huge market and other markets available through its major initiatives.

-- BERNAMA