by Wu Siya

 

NANNING, Sept. 25 (China Economic Net) - Crystal-clear fragrant rice, aromatic black tea, dense hummus... When you enter the UAE Pavilion of the 21st China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), in addition to the iconic buildings including the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, and Atlantis Palm Island, an assortment of fine food are also eye-catching.

 

 

 

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE. And 2024’s CAEXPO is the first time that a Gulf Arab country has served as a special partner. In the pavilion, a long and thin fragrant rice attracted many people to stop. 

 

“Our rice grains are about 2 cm long, crystal clear, with a strong nutty aroma, and will grow two or three times longer after being cooked.” Exhibitor Safir told the reporter that the Basmati rice that the UAE people like to eat is known as the king of rice. In the Middle East, its price is 3 to 5 times that of ordinary rice.

 

Niels, a staff member of well-known UAE retail giant Lulu Group, enthusiastically introduced various products such as chickpeas, date palms, breads, sauces to the audience. “Chickpeas and hummus are our specialties, and now more and more Chinese consumers are interested in this nutritious bean.”

 

“The CAEXPO has built a broad platform for us, where partners worldwide are right beside us. Negotiations and cooperation between enterprises have become quick and convenient. We will continue to take the opportunity to expand market in the future,” Niels expressed his anticipation for business opportunities.

 

Besides delicacies, investment environment, advantageous industries, cooperation projects and tourism resources are also indispensable components of the UAE Pavillon. Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, as key cities, brought promotional content such as tourist attractions, landmark buildings and cultural heritage.

 

For decades, China-Arab economic and trade cooperation has mushroomed. China has been the largest trading partner of the UAE for consecutive years, and the UAE has also become China’s largest investment destination in the Arab world. The reporter learned that the UAE has become China’s largest non-oil trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa. In 2023, the non-oil trade volume between the two sides reached USD 82 billion. It is expected that by 2030, the trade volume between the two countries will reach USD 200 billion. According to statistics, the UAE absorbs 47.7% of China's total investment in Arab countries, while the UAE’s investment in China accounts for 33% of the total investment of Arab countries in China.