The 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first national-level exhibition dedicated to imports, kicked off in Shanghai on Thursday, drawing thousands of international firms.

For Kozet Zelalem, an Ethiopian entrepreneur who has lived and worked in Shanghai for years, the expo is about much more than products.

She sees it as a launchpad for new technologies and bold ideas. But the real magic, she says, is the connection. Nothing comes close to getting together in person, finding your partners across the globe and helping each other build new businesses that bring people everywhere the goods and services they need.

Kozet wants to see more global companies make connections through the event and forge lasting relationships with each other and with Chinese consumers.