As one of the world's largest comprehensive fairs for trade in services, CIFTIS provides a unique opportunity for participating African countries to network, sell and learn from practices, a Cameroonian expert told Xinhua.

YAOUNDE, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- World services trade is booming with digitalization and e-commerce, and China's flagship services fair highlights vast opportunities in this field, a Cameroonian expert has said.

The 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), which began in Beijing on Wednesday, emphasizes China's focus on the flourishing services trade sector, reflecting both its current significance and future potential, said Cameroonian expert, director of Global Consulting, a Cameroonian think tank.

As one of the world's largest comprehensive fairs for trade in services, CIFTIS provides a unique opportunity for participating African countries to network, sell and learn from practices, Tabe told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"Cameroon is promoting its touristic benefits and potential at the fair. African countries that are among the top participants at the fair need to seize this opportunity to show the world the services we offer," he said.

The world is witnessing a shift in consumption from goods to services, the expert said. In the first half of this year, China's total services trade reached a record 3.9 trillion yuan (about 549 billion U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent year-on-year increase. The country is entering a phase of rapid growth in services consumption, Tabe said.

It means "fresh opportunities for multinational corporations, which shows the nation's commitment to openness rather than protectionism," he said.

"China's steady opening of its services sector is in agreement with the broader global trend in which services are playing a greater role in cross-border trade," Tabe said.

Themed "Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services," this year's CIFTIS, with participants from 85 countries and international organizations, provides a solid platform to shape the future of several industries, including carbon neutrality and artificial intelligence (AI), the expert said, noting that AI is a very timely focus of the fair, reflecting its growing importance in the global economy.

"China wants to get more high-quality development, focusing more on green development, AI-related products and high-tech industries," he said.

"In the long run, CIFTIS will continue to exhibit that services trade is a key contributor to world trade development," Tabe said.