Going digital offers exhibitors new perks

By Yuan Shenggao 

The 127th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, kicked off on Monday online because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

According to organizers, the 127th CIEF uses advanced information technologies, such as big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence, to upgrade the official website and facilitate communication online. 

To better showcase products, the website allows companies to use pictures, videos, 3D models, virtual reality and other forms to present their supply capacities, brand images and product information. 

Organizers said the number of the exhibits uploaded to the website is far beyond expectations. Some of the products are making their world premiere at the 127th Canton Fair. 

To help companies adapt to the new form of exhibition, organizers have provided guidance and training in various systems’ operation. They have published nine exhibition guidelines via different online channels and hosted three sessions of video training for exhibitors. 

As this year is crucial for the entire country to achieve its goal of helping those in need to overcome poverty, the Canton Fair’s organizers also increase efforts for poverty alleviation and help companies from poor areas to expand their markets. 

The fair is completely open to them, without restrictions on exhibitor numbers and participation conditions, organizers said. The move is aimed at encouraging businesses from poor areas to participate in the Canton Fair.  

The fair is also free to all companies and cross-border e-commerce platforms, as efforts to help companies emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers said. 

The organizers have also set up intellectual property protection systems, both online and offline. 

One such system is an online complaint processing platform which allows registered users of the website to submit complaints. The complaints will be handled by experts on patents, trademarks and copyrights from government departments. 

At the same time, a professional arbitration organization was commissioned to offer online mediation services to parties over IP disputes. 

As a traditional event of the fair, the Canton Fair Design Awards, aiming to select the best products combining market and design value since its inception in 2013, has attracted 10,683 enterprises to sign up this year. 

The online fair has set up a governmental service sector, which cooperates with customs, taxation and other government departments to offer policy guidance and online consultancy to provide support and services for buyers and exhibitors. 

To help solve the difficulties of financing, the fair in cooperation with large domestic financial institutions has set up an online financing service zone for the first time, providing exclusive financial products for exhibitors. The products include financing, cross-border settlement, export insurance and customers clearance. 

The financing service zone aims to provide higher credit lines, lower settlement rates and more convenient financing channels while helping exhibitors to sign orders and reduce costs.