The Canton Fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair, has become an international platform for global exhibitors to not only target the Chinese market but also expand their reach to buyers from around the world. The 133rd session of the Canton Fair, which started on Saturday and runs until May 5, has seen a significant increase in the number of exhibitors and buyers from various countries and regions, showcasing the growing appeal of the fair as a global trade event.
According to statistics from the fair organizer, the exhibition area for imports has reached a record 30,000 square meters, up 50 percent from 2019, making it the largest ever. A total of 508 global enterprises from 40 countries and regions are showcasing their products at the fair, with 73 percent of them coming from countries and regions involved in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
Many exhibitors have found success in expanding their markets beyond China at the Canton Fair. Zhang Shuotong, director of the overseas sales center at Smardt Chiller Group, a Canadian supplier of oil-free compressors, shared that they have seen buyers not only from China, Europe, America, and Australia, which are their main markets, but also from other places such as Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Malaysia who have visited their booth at the fair.
Other companies, such as Fagor Professional, a Spanish cooking pot manufacturer, and Ferre, a Turkish kitchen appliance brand, have also been leveraging the Canton Fair as a platform to promote their products to customers from around the world. Zhang Yan, deputy general manager of Fagor Professional, shared that they are participating for the second time, with the goal of expanding their markets in Hong Kong and Taiwan, in addition to the Chinese mainland. The fair has helped them connect with potential dealers from these regions. Similarly, Ferre, which has been attending the fair for over 10 years, highlighted that the Canton Fair has been instrumental in helping them secure orders and expand their export markets to over 140 countries.
The appeal of the Canton Fair as a global trading platform is evident with buyers from 226 countries and regions registering to participate either on-site or online. On the first day of the fair, which saw about 67,000 foreign exhibitors and buyers in attendance, visitors from around the world were observed visiting booths and expressing interest in products from various global brands.
The Canton Fair has also been recognized as an important platform for promoting trade cooperation between China and other countries. Joan Basagana, president of Taurus Group, a Spanish home appliance company, noted that the fair has played a significant role in fostering trade relations between China, Spain, and other markets worldwide. Many companies, such as Aishida Co (ASD) from China, have used the Canton Fair to introduce high-end cookware brands from Europe into the Chinese market and seek more distributors.
Exhibitors from Egypt, such as Fresh, a home appliance company, have also been utilizing the Canton Fair to communicate with customers around the world through its cloud-based service on the fair’s website for the past three years. Khaled Ramzy, director of exports at Fresh, shared that the Canton Fair has been a crucial platform for them to meet their global customers and has been a part of their trade strategy since 2007.
As the Canton Fair continues to attract global exhibitors and buyers, it is evident that it has scaled new heights in terms of international participation and is serving as a vital platform for promoting global trade and cooperation between China and other countries. The fair has become a hub for showcasing innovative products, fostering business connections, and expanding markets, making it a significant event on the global trade calendar.
