Massive Canton Fair set to open on Oct 15

The 112th China Import and Export Fair - widely known as the Canton Fair - will be held from Oct 15 to Nov 4 in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province.

Renowned as China's largest and most prestigious fair, the massive event has been held every spring and autumn since 1957.

Co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong provincial government and organized by the China Foreign Trade Center, this year's fair has expanded to 59,400 booths in 50 pavilions arranged by15 product types.

They include 58,500 export stands and import pavilions covering a combined 20,000 square meters, according to Wang Zhiping, deputy director of the fair and director of the China Foreign Trade Center. The event is designed to attract investment from 23 countries and regions, covering traditional markets in North America and Europe as well as emerging markets in Africa, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

Advertisements in 169 media outlets in 33 countries and regions, publicize the fair. This year organizers are trying new methods such as sharing photos or videos on micro blogs.

"Several large companies from Germany and South Africa have shown interest to come to Guangzhou after a customer survey," said Wang.

The 112th Canton Fair has focused on attracting products in environmental protection, high-tech fields and those with local characteristics.

Delegations from 13 countries and regions have already registered, including new exhibitors from Japan, Brazil and Thailand, Wang noted.

The 112th session will also host a design exhibition called

International Market Forum with the theme of grasping opportunities in Brazil and forums covering product design, brand marketing and predicting fashion trends.

To date, 42 design institutions from 10 countries includng Italy, the Netherlands and the US have applied to participate in the design exhibition, according to Wang.

The fair this year is also reviewing exhibiting brands according to revised standards and has set aside almost 12,000 stands to help more domestic brands be known to the world.

"Improving services is at the core of the Canton Fair," Wang said. Certification procedures for domestic buyers have been simplified this year, and security has been improved through online registration and enhanced cooperation with police.

Improved support services include free WiFi , an online map on the fair's official website and information sharing using smart phones, said Wang.

from Chinadaily