A trade official from Georgia poses for a photo at the state's booth with a brochure at the sixth CIIE on November 6, 2023. Photo: Chu Daye/GT

The number of intended business meetings with potential clients at the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's biggest import fair, was more than double the expected level, a trade official from the US state of Georgia told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Monday.

Amid stabilizing bilateral ties, US food companies have arrived at this year's CIIE in force, attracted by the vast potential of the Chinese market.

Georgia brought two companies this time, Stella Xu, a trade official with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, told the Global Times on Monday.

One company sells edible oil related products and the other is a grape vendor, Xu said. The visits were arranged on short notice and it wasn't easy, the trade official said.

A third company's representative is actually en route to Shanghai, their flight being disrupted by a volcanic eruption, Xu said.

According to Xu, this is Georgia's first appearance at the CIIE and the first in-person visit to China by Georgia-based companies and trade officials in years, after the disruptions of the pandemic. "We want to be here to see things in person."

Large crowds visited the American Food and Agriculture Pavilion at the CIIE, which features 17 exhibitors showcasing American agricultural products ranging from meat, almonds and cheese to wine and health supplements.

The pavilion officially opened on Monday. US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns was seen touring the pavilion, talking to representatives from US companies attending the expo.

Georgia and Idaho are two states present at the CIIE this year. The state of Idaho retained its presence at the CIIE even during the pandemic years.

China is the largest importer for Georgia, and the state's third-largest export destination, according to Xu. 

"We are surprised that the responses from potential Chinese buyers are very strong. They hope to become sales agents for our products," Xu said. "We were expecting six to eight potential clients and we ended up being contacted by over two dozen Chinese companies. Before we came to the convention center yesterday, commercial talks had already begun at our hotel."

Amid a rising trend of local-level cooperation between the two countries, highlighted by the recent high-profile visit to China by California Governor Gavin Newsom, the state of Georgia is also seeing more interactions with Chinese localities. 

Xu revealed that state officials have held meetings with their counterparts from Central China's Hunan Province and East China's Shandong Province.

"We have about 150 Chinese companies from these two provinces investing in our state," Xu said, expressing an intention to attract Chinese investment. 

Professional buyers from Chinese provinces, companies and government departments have demonstrated China's strong consumption power. Deals worth billions of US dollars were reportedly signed on Sunday, the first day of the event.

In 2022, trade between Georgia and China reached $28.94 billion, up 3.98 percent year-on-year, according to media reports.