Ivan Melnikov, chief representative in China of Watergen, an Israeli firm that develops water-from-air solutions, is seen at the booth at the third China International Import Expo(CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 9, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Moling)
"What I can see from my new office (in Shanghai) is not only the spectacular view of the Huangpu river, but also our tremendous opportunities in China," said chief representative in China of Watergen, an Israeli firm that develops water-from-air solutions.
by Xinhua writers Liu Hongde, Yang Yuchen
SHANGHAI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Three days after the opening of the third China International Import Expo (CIIE), Ivan Melnikov gained about 1,000 new contacts on WeChat.
"One thousand new friends equal to one thousand more business opportunities. I never expected the CIIE to be so powerful," said Melnikov, chief representative in China of Watergen, an Israeli firm that develops water-from-air solutions.
Born in 1988, Melnikov is an active young man with short brown hair. His booth was neat and well-organized, with the company's products on display, as well as tissues and disinfection sprays.
"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my colleagues in Israel weren't able to come to Shanghai to help me. So, from editing presentation video, contacting clients to decorating the booth, everything is on my own. I slept less than five hours every day since October, but my will to participate in the CIIE never decays," he said.
A staff member shows Watergen's unique patented technology with the ability to turn humidity in the air into a source of high-quality drinking water at Watergen Headquarters in Petah Tickva, Israel, Nov. 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Shang Hao)
What's special about Melnikov's booth is its offering of high-quality drinking water formed from humidity through his company's unique patented technology.
This is the second time that Watergen has participated in the CIIE. Just several months after last year's CIIE, Watergen decided to set up its China branch in Shanghai and started building its manufacturing base in the Yangtze River Delta region, which is one of China's most economically active regions.
"What I can see from my new office (in Shanghai) is not only the spectacular view of the Huangpu river, but also our tremendous opportunities in China," he added.
Melnikov mentioned the huge influence of the CIIE. "I think the CIIE is super effective," he said, "After my first CIIE journey, I continue to recommend this platform to other friends as a perfect opportunity for any competitive company to enter the Chinese market."
(Xinhua reporter Wang Moling also contributed to the story.)■
