TORONTO, May 22, 2026 – The Toronto promotion event for the 9th China International Import Expo was held in Markham on May 22. The event introduced this year’s CIIE participation arrangements and business matching opportunities to Canadian companies, business associations and local organizations. For Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises, Chinese Canadian business communities, and companies in food, agriculture, consumer goods and trade in services that are interested in entering the Chinese market, registration, industry fit and follow-up cooperation channels are key details that need to be confirmed in advance. Attending the promotion event does not automatically guarantee exhibition eligibility or partnership opportunities, and businesses still need to verify specific requirements.
Several Chinese and Canadian political and business representatives attended and spoke at the event, including Chinese Consul General in Toronto Luo Weidong, Bank of China (Canada) President Deng Jun, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Member of Parliament Rechie Valdez, Toronto City Councillor Nick Mantas, China International Import Expo Bureau Deputy Director Wu Zhengping, and Canada China Business Council Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Bijan Ahmadi.
The event program included guest remarks, a CIIE promotional presentation and a panel discussion. The panel focused on Canadian companies’ participation in the CIIE, expansion into the Chinese market, and resource matching for small and medium-sized enterprises, with representatives from business associations and companies taking part in the discussion.
The CIIE is an import-themed exhibition for international companies. According to the on-site presentation, the 9th CIIE will continue to provide overseas businesses with opportunities to showcase products, learn about the Chinese market and connect with potential partners. For Canadian companies, food and agricultural products, consumer goods, technical equipment and trade in services remain areas of interest.
However, for many small and medium-sized businesses, the real challenge is not only whether they want to exhibit, but whether they understand the application process, exhibition categories, whether their products meet market requirements, and whether they have the capacity for cross-border communication and follow-up. Some companies have mainly served the local market in the past and may not be familiar with Chinese market rules. They may also lack Chinese-language business materials, product certifications, logistics arrangements or translation support. If companies assess opportunities only based on event information without further confirming the details, they may later face communication delays, higher costs or mismatched partnership expectations.
For SMEs participating in a large international exhibition for the first time, practical preparation often goes beyond registration itself. Companies need to assess their industry category, prepare product materials, check certification requirements, arrange logistics, secure translation support and build follow-up business communication capacity. If these steps are not confirmed in advance, even companies that obtain exhibition or matching opportunities may face higher costs, delayed communication or inconsistent expectations during implementation.
It is understood that the 9th China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10 this year. Companies interested in exhibition or cooperation arrangements should verify the registration process, exhibition categories and follow-up matching requirements in advance, and keep records of applications and communications. Those unfamiliar with Chinese and English business documentation processes can contact chambers of commerce or related organizations for assistance to reduce communication barriers and repeated follow-ups.
（LJI by Yuanyuan）
