ORGANIZERS of the China Import and Export Fair (formerly the Canton Fair) are hoping to bring in more Filipino exhibitors and buyers to this year’s edition to be held next month.

But businessmen, particularly those from Cebu, complained to organizers about the steep rates of the hotels in and around Guangzhou.

Ren Xiangdong, vice secretary- general of the fair, told a business gathering that the fair organizers have always looked forward to Filipino participation to pave the way for closer ties between Chinese and Filipino businessmen.

“We hope more Filipinos could join the fair this year, as we look forward to a stronger partnership between China and the Philippines,” Xiangdong said.

Now on its 104th year, the China Import and Export Fair is considered as China’s biggest fair with more than 1 million sq m of exhibition space, 54,000 indoor stands  for an expected 21,600 business displays.

The event will still be held at the Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou.

Due to the magnitude of the event, the fair is divided into two phases between October 15 and November 6 to maximize exhibitor space and provide for easy buyer sourcing.

Xiangdong said in 2007 more than 2,300 Filipino buyers joined the fair and sealed $161 million in business deals at the fair.

He said Filipino firms involved in electronics and metals have been joining the event.

Some businessmen, like Julian Tan, said the hotel rates in Guangzhou jumped fourfold during the fair, raising additional costs for Philippine buyers.

Tan, who has been joining the fair for several years, sources mostly China-made vehicle parts and accessories from the fair for his business in Cebu.

“I hope the organizers can do something about it so more buyers would come,” Tan said.

Xiangdong promised to look at the concern.

Phase one of the fair, from October 15 to 19, will have electronics, electrical appliances, hardware tools, machineries, vehicles, vehicle parts, building materials, lighting equipment and chemical products.

The second phase, between October 24 to 28, will have consumer goods, gifts and home decorations.

China fair in Guangzhou in Oct. wants to attract more RP exhibitors, buyers

ORGANIZERS of the China Import and Export Fair (formerly the Canton Fair) are hoping to bring in more Filipino exhibitors and buyers to this year’s edition to be held next month.

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