A GROUP of expats were seen dancing to the beat of the drums at Hall 6 of Shenzhen Exhibition and Convention Center in Futian District during the 21st Conference on International Exchange of Professionals (CIEP) held in April 2023.

They are volunteers representing the international talent communities or blocks across the city to introduce talent services to foreign and local visitors at Hall 6, which features the expat service fair over the weekend.

Priyasha Sharma (R) from India explains services offered by Yuehai Enterprise Service (YHES) to visitors during the 21st Conference on International Exchange of Professionals (CIEP) at Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District on Saturday. Wang Jingli

Priyasha Sharma from India who attended the CIEP for the second time told Shenzhen Daily that she felt proud this year to represent the Yuehai Enterprise Service (YHES) of Yuehai Subdistrict, Nanshan District, to explain all the services YHES provides for visitors who came to the booth.

“At the fair, I also saw all the international block booths have international volunteers to present, which was a great example of showing diversity. Each booth represented their core values and services provided. Many expats visited the fair, and it was great to see all the expats gather together under one roof for the activities,” Sharma said. She also spoke highly of the services provided by the city for expats like her.

Maya Gulan (R) and Asma Noor from Pakistan at Minzhi Subdistrict talent community booth. Lin Songtao

Maya Gulan from Serbia who volunteered in front of the booth of Minzhi Subdistrict talent community at Hall 6 said that “I think this fair’s international hall was amazing, and we met a lot of international friends from other subdistricts.”

Gulan is studying in a Ph.D. program at Shenzhen University and appreciated services offered by the city and the university that have helped her life and studies in the city.

In 2019, Shenzhen piloted the construction of international blocks in a bid to boost the city’s internationalization. This February, the Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office announced the first batch of selected 20 international blocks in nine districts and Dapeng New Area.

The 20 international blocks set up a booth each at Hall 6 to display its sound living environment, public and industrial services, attracting lots of attention from fair visitors.

Additionally, Hall 6 organized a career fair to provide or offer work opportunities for foreigners.

(Source | Shenzhen Daily)