Canton Fair is an important platform for the “Belt and Road” economic and trade cooperation

At the opening press conference of the 125th Canton Fair held on April 14th, Xu Bing, spokesman for the Canton Fair and Deputy Director General of the China Foreign Trade Centre, introduced the relevant information of Canton Fair in implementing the "Belt and Road" Initiative.

Xu Bing said that the "Belt and Road" provides important solution and measures for promoting world economic growth and realizing common development. Canton Fair is an important platform for promoting the “Belt and Road” economic and trade cooperation. In recent years, an average of 80,000 buyers from B&R countries attended each session, accounting for 40% of the total number, and the proportion is rising. New buyers participate actively and the average growth rate each session is higher than the overall level. The 125th Canton Fair will continue to carry out the "the Belt and Road" initiative, tap the potential for cooperation, and drive China's economic and trade cooperation with the countries along the route to a new level.

Deepen cooperation with industrial and commercial organizations along the route. Canton Fair will vigorously promote the Global Partnership Program, and focus on the development of important industrial and commercial organizations of “Belt and Road” countries as partners. In the 125th Canton Fair promotion, partnership has been established with 6 new organizations with great influence in the local region, including Ukraine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chinese Commerce Association (Ukraine), Maltese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, Norwegian Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Argentine Chamber of Commerce for Asia and the Pacific. At present, Canton Fair has signed cooperation agreements with 47 industrial and commercial organizations in 33 B&R countries. Both parties have conducted in-depth exchanges and cooperation in promotion, group visits, information exchange, and conference services. It is planned to establish partnerships with all countries along the route within two to three years.

Countries along the route are the largest participating groups in the International Pavilion. 21 B&R countries and regions participate in the International Pavilion this session and account for 55% of the total. Pavilions from 6 B&R countries (Turkey, Egypt, India, Nepal, Malaysia, and Thailand) and 2 regions (Macao and Taiwan) account for 80% of the total number of pavilions. There are 383 exhibitors and 630 booths from these countries, accounting for 60% and 63% of the International Pavilion respectively.

Increase targeted invitation to buyers of countries along the route. Mail invitation to these countries will be increased, accounting for 50% of the total mail invitation. Through emails, needs of regular buyers are collected and analyzed to facilitate the application of invitation letters. According to the different sourcing demands of the markets along the route, differentiated marketing plans and advertisements are made. B&R countries are the focus of promotion; promotion teams have traveled to 9 B&R countries and Internet Promotion Campaign (video conferences) have been held in 7 countries. By organizing social media fan meet-up and inviting B&R buyers to participate in salon activities, we will enhance the online and offline interaction of fans and enhance the loyalty of buyers from these countries.

Hosting high-end conference forum with B&R country. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia and the bilateral trade volume exceeding 100 billion US dollars, we will work with the Russian Consulate General and Fortune Magazine to hold the Canton Fair (Russia) International Market Forum to discuss Sino-Russian trade hotspots and business opportunities.

(Canton Fair Press Center)