(Yicai Global) Oct.4 -- The upcoming China International Import Expo willpresentan importantopportunity andopena gateway for German companies to enter the Chinese market,anexpert withtheAssociation of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) told state Xinhua news agency.

"We are confident that CIIE is one of the first steps for making sure that there are good conditions for German companies to do business in China," said Thomas Koenig, Director East Asia of DIHK.

DIHKis theCIIE'sorganizer in Germany. Itencouragesdomesticcompanies toexhibittheir competitive products and services through this new platform.

It is a wonderful opportunity for German firms to celebrate their successes in China.Manythat arealreadyestablished inthe countrywillgrandstandtheir talent and their products, Koenig said.

It is also agrandchancefor new German playersthathave notyetdiscovered China's potential as a new destination for theirgoods and ideas, he added.

An array of German companieswill attend totoutthe widevariety of commoditiesthat the German economy has and its offer to China, Koenig pledged.

"There will be a total of 170 German companies participating in this year's CIIE. We are very pleased to see such a large scale of participation, which underlines the German-Chinese friendship and partnership,"hesaid.

The German pavilionwillhighlight technologies, ideas and new products which are relevant to the Chinese market, headded.

The CIIE is also aboutputting the new Chinaon display,presentingthe new opportunities inthe country, andits openness toinvestment,Koenig stated.

"China does encourage more exchanges with foreign companies, and also it is very open for business. And that kind of spirit is something we DIHK of course very much support," hecontinued.

CIIE, the first of its kind ever to be held by China willrunfromNov.5to10in Shanghai.More than 2,800 companies from over 130 countries and regions have confirmed their participationthus farinwhat seems set to be a galaevent.

Editor: Ben Armour