

The 2018 Xiamen International MICE Week opens in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province on Nov 24. [Photo by Lin Ting/chinadaily.com.cn]
The annual Xiamen International MICE Week kicked off in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province on Nov 24.
The five-day event gathered more than 200 businesses and organizations specializing in meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, which collectively fall under the MICE umbrella, from over 20 countries and regions worldwide.
Among them are some juggernauts in the sector, which include the Asian Federation of Exhibition & Convention Associations, UFI, International Association of Exhibitions and Events, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence and Professional Convention Management Association.
A raft of activities such as forums, corporate matchmaking events and various exchange programs that revolve around MICE are underway in the city.
Now in its fourth year, the event is gaining wider recognition and expects to infuse new vitality to the MICE industry in Xiamen. Local authorities estimated that a key economic driver, MICE is set to post 40 billion yuan in revenue in Xiamen in 2018, with attendees exceeding 1.86 million.
China has launched a new pilot program to allow eligible enterprises greater access to overseas financing in support of green and low-carbon transformation projects, the country's foreign exchange regulator said on Aug 21.
To further streamline the experience, China is expanding tax refund stores, broadening the range of refundable goods, and refining refund procedures, ensuring an efficient and seamless shopping experience for global visitors.