African buyers are gathering at the 136th China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, in south China’s Guangzhou, drawn by competitive pricing and high-quality Chinese products, while exploring new business opportunities that they can take back to their home countries.
Themed "Serving high-quality development, Promoting high-level opening-up", the latest edition of the long-running trade show is running in three phases from Oct. 15 through to Nov. 4, and features more than 30,000 exhibitors showcasing 1.15 million new products.
As Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, China has long been favored by African businesses, and the Canton Fair has been serving as a key platform to facilitate this relationship. On average, the past five editions of the Canton Fair have welcomed around 14,000 African buyers to visit on-site, with around 95,000 participating online.
Among the many attendees is Nigerian architect Fadillah, who is visiting the fair for the first time. In the past, she had to coordinate with third-party suppliers to buy products from the fair, but visiting in person allowed her get an up-close look at the many products on offer and access a wider selection.
"It's better for me to see. I prefer to see, and touch, and feel [the products], then I collect contacts, and I buy. I do business with them," she said.
As she surveyed many of the eye-catching ‘Made-in-China’ items which are taking center stage at the fair, Fadillah said she especially values the design and quality of the Chinese products on display.
"I think it's the concept, it’s different. There's something about it (that) is different. The design and the texture, the feel, the material," she said.
She said her experience at the Canton Fair has far exceeded her expectations, even rating it ‘100 out of 100,’ and saying she has gained many valuable business connections and contacts.
"When I came, I was very impressed. And I was very happy to be here because I'm making contact, I'm getting to meet people, getting to see ideas I've never thought of. So it's giving me opportunities, sort of like [how to] create businesses even back home," said Fadillah.
Another first-time visitor from Nigeria, a buyer named Aldine, also hailed the vast market potential and favorable prices available.
"The prices, individually, they are actually fair. Compared to, if you have to buy from Europe, it's cheaper to buy from China," said Aldine.
Inspired by what she has seen at the fair, she said she hopes her home country can also seize more opportunities wishing that her country can expand trade with China, and foster better development.
"Personally, I want to see my country grow, like (how) China is growing. So if (trade) is open my people will get (more) work, jobs to do, you understand, and then strengthen our cooperation between the Chinese government and Nigerian government," she said.
Launched in 1957 and held twice yearly, the Canton Fair is considered a major gauge of China's foreign trade, as it not only brings together new products, technologies, and services, but also serves as a platform for the exchange of new ideas.
African buyers eye up Chinese products at Canton Fair
