Paolo Bazzoni, president of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CCIC), said the Chinese market is full of opportunities and expects Italian companies to further tap into the world's second largest consumer market.

More and more Italian companies will approach the Chinese market if circumstances remain favorable, Bazzoni said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua during the third China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE).

China-Italy relations have strengthened significantly in recent years. Data showed that bilateral trade volume totaled $77.9 billion in 2022, an increase of 5.4 percent year-on-year.

Bazzoni believes the Chinese economy is recovering from the impacts of COVID and expressed confidence about its prospects. He said the recovery will not be immediate, but positive signs are emerging.

It is time for a broader recovery, and areas including infrastructure and consumption will recover gradually, he added.

Maria Tripodi, Italian Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, noted at the opening ceremony of the third CICPE that the broad participation of Italian companies in the event shows their focus on the Chinese market and their promise to provide high-quality products.

Echoing Tripodi's remarks, Bazzoni also emphasized the appeal among Italian companies of China's ultra-large market, saying the chamber has expanded rapidly in recent years.

At the end of 2022, the chamber had 868 members, a 98.6 percent increase over 2019, while the number of its offices across China has increased to seven, according to the CCIC.

Expressing enthusiasm for the third CICPE, the first large-scale international exhibition after China optimized its response to COVID, Bazzoni said this represents a good showcase for Italian brands and companies, as the media and consumers will pay close attention to the exhibition.

Italy is the guest of honor at this edition of the Expo. It has built its pavilion on about 1,800 square meters and is hosting 147 brands participating in the event -- both figures more than doubled from last year's edition.

Italian companies will have more opportunities to penetrate and get more business in the Chinese market, Bazzoni said.

Looking beyond the current exhibition, the CCIC president said many areas have huge growth potential for Italian companies.

In addition to what is on display, Italy can offer Chinese customers quality products in areas such as machinery, renewable energy and healthcare, he said.

(This article is translated from: http://www.italian.people.cn/n3/2023/0413/c416705-20005357.html）