The fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) kicked off in Shanghai on Nov 5 and will run through Nov 10. Liangjiang New Area attended the expo's Chongqing investment and trade cooperation session and signing ceremony.

During the session, the new area's geographical advantages, development trajectory, and industrial features were introduced. Liangjiang government officials expressed their hope that entrepreneurs will invest and start businesses in the new area, as well as participate in its commercial and cultural exchanges.

As a core development area in China's western development drive, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the new area has become one of the most vibrant regions in West China that boasts a high level of opening-up and a strong economy, after 12 years of sustained development. The fact that the new area has been selected as a national import trade promotion and innovation demonstration zone has brought more development opportunities to Liangjiang.

From January to September of this year, the new area reported 236.9 billion yuan ($32.76 billion) in exports and imports, up 11.3 percent. Meanwhile, its service trade value reached $3.73 billion, the highest in Chongqing.

At the signing ceremony, Liangjiang signed investment project agreements with Shanghai- and Chongqing-based companies, with investment totaling nearly 10 billion yuan.