06 September 2022, China: The First International Conference on Trade in Agricultural Services, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China (MARA), was held in Beijing on September 2. The theme of the conference was “Trade in Agricultural Services: New Model for Economic and Trade Cooperation, New Path for Agricultural Upgrading.” Ma Youxiang, Vice Minister of MARA, and Sheng Qiuping, Vice Minister of Commerce, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks.
Vice Minister Ma pointed out that global food security is now facing risks and challenges. To increase agricultural total factor productivity, ensure undisrupted and efficient supply chains, and achieve the goal of zero hunger, the world needs to realize steady growth in cross-border agricultural investment and trade. Great efforts will also need to be made to develop trade in agricultural services, so as to restructure industries and accelerate the transformation of global food and agricultural systems. In recent years, China has vigorously developed agricultural services, improved the quality and efficiency of agricultural services, actively boosted all-round opening-up in areas including agricultural services, loosened market access, and optimized the business environment, all of which have contributed greatly to global agricultural cooperation and development.
Vice Minister Ma stated that the conference, which is the first international gathering dedicated to trade in agricultural services, showcases China’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with all countries to promote innovative development and win-win results in the agricultural service trade. Efforts to promote trade in agricultural services will inject new vitality into stabilizing global agricultural supply chains and promoting sustainable agricultural development.
Ministers or ambassadors from countries including Mexico and the Netherlands attended the conference. Representatives from competent government agencies, international organizations, agriculture-related multinational enterprises, and business associations, among others, also participated the conference.
