Internet launch offers convenience to traders

Event goes online to ensure health of participants

By YUAN SHENGGAO

The 127th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, kicked off on Monday online due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The event provides a convenient platform for domestic and overseas entrepreneurs to launch businesses and recover from the outbreak.

On the first day of the fair, more than 30 products with new designs and cutting-edge technologies made their debuts, which attracted many clients and led to online business negotiations.

Mohamed Sabry, chairman of Alexandria Business Association, said: “The online Canton Fair not only helps Egyptian buyers improve procurement efficiency and save costs, but also builds a platform for entrepreneurs from China and Egypt to communicate.”

“Many companies in the United States closed businesses because of the outbreak. The online fair is a remarkable attempt to help US buyers overcome geographical constraints and participate in business activities,” said Ren Jianhao, chairman of the America-China Chamber of Commerce.

Currently, the pandemic is under control in only some parts of the world. As a result, there are large risks in hosting a global fair offline. At the same time, shrinking global demands have led to a sharp decline of foreign trade orders. This makes it difficult for many foreign trade companies to resume production, said Zhang Jianping, director of the research center of regional economic cooperation under the Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce.

Under these circumstances, Zhang said, the online Canton Fair can be an efficient way to meet the requirements of global businesses and help them secure more orders.

By helping businesses reach trade and investment deals, the Canton Fair will contribute to a recovery in China and its trading partners worldwide as well as to world economic stability, Zhang said.