Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries MAFF confirms pavilion for FHC China 2008 The MAFF pavilion at FHC China 2008 will be the 4th consecutive year Japan has been present at this event. The MAFF announcement was made shortly after the visit of Hu Jintao, President PR China to Tokyo and is a sign of improved relations between the countries. Tesco opens its first convenience stores in China The first Chinese Tesco Express opened in Shanghai in February. More outlets in the same format are expected to follow in the main Chinese towns throughout 2008. Tesco already runs 50 hypermarkets in China as a joint venture with a local group Tin Cao. The giant British operator intends to dedicate a budget of around ￡300 million every 12 months to fund its expansion in China over the coming years. — March 2008 Italy choose FHC ICE, Italian Trade Commission have selected FHC China 2008 as the principal platform for the promotion of Italian food and drink to China. Over 7,000 letters of invitation have been sent by ICE Rome to companies and regions inviting participation for what promises to be the largest display of Italian food & wine ever to show in China. Mr Maurizto Forte, Italian Trade Commissioner mentioned:" Italian Trade Commisson - I.C.E has decided to take part again at FHC China 2008 for a national pavilion from 4-6 December 2008. China offers considerable and growing opportunities for the Italian food and wine products and during the last few years we have experienced that FHC China has worked as an efficient platform. From our side, we?are going to organise several supporting actives in order to make Italian Pavilion as much successful as possible."? For more information of the official support letter, please click here.— March 2008 Spain reconfirmed as the biggest pavilion ICEX brought 140 companies to FHC China 2007. The show was an outstanding success commented Mr. Jorge Dajani, Economic & Commercial Consul of Spain in Shanghai. ICEX have booked 10 blocks again for FHC China 2008 confirming their place as the largest national group at the show..... so far! — February 2008 2008 China International Canned Food, Material and Equipment Exhibition will take place for the first time alongside FHC China 2008. Organised by the China Canning Association (CCA), this exhibition will include all of China's leading canned food manufacturers. Offering a wide range of product for buyers from domestic and export markets. Madam Xu Xi, Secretary General of CCA commented that "we have chosen to cooperate with this expo above any other fair in China as FHC is the largest and most professional trade fair for the food industry in China". Supporting the exhibition, the CCA will also organise a seminar for over 200 Chinese distributors of canned food and other food and beverage products from all over China. — January 2008 Companies scramble for space at FHC China 2008. As the deadline for early Bird offers expires on 31st January 2008 existing and new customers for FHC are rushing to confirm their stands. The organisers report that 90% of exhibitors at FHC China 2007 have already booked the same space or larger at FHC China 2008. — January 2008 Wal-Mart to open 100th store in China in 2008. Wal-Mart who have already 94 stores in China, announced plans to expand by 30% annually. — China Daily 11 December 2007 Bord Biá returns to FHC China. After missing out on the 2007 show Bord Biá, the Irish Food Board have confirmed their participation at FHC China 2008. — December 2007 20 National and Regional food marketing groups confirm their participation at FHC China 2008 by the end of the 2007 event. With 12 months remaining before the start of the 2008 show FHC China is already confirmed once again to be the largest international food and beverage exhibition serving the China market. — November 2007