Enterprise using fair to push expansion overseas

At the ongoing Canton Fair, Chinese companies involved in foreign trade are going all out to expand in overseas markets.

“In preparation for livestreaming at the Canton Fair, we have had countless rehearsals,” said Shi Ying, a manager responsible for the overseas market at Guangdong Gemake Electric Appliance, a manufacturer of electric water heaters.

“At the fair, our livestreams put an emphasis on responding to enquiries and adding interaction with viewers so as to involve potential customers in our livestreaming, rather than leaving them listening and looking like bystanders,” Shi said.

The company has highly valued the livestreaming at the Canton Fair in embarking on its venture in the overseas market, according to the manager.

At the last session of the Canton Fair in June, Gemake secured orders from Southern and Southeast Asian markets and established contact with customers in Central Asian countries.

“Our exports to emerging markets including Turkmenistan, Indonesia and Pakistan have reported a sound performance,” Shi said.

Electric storage water heaters originated from Europe so it is not easy to export such products to Western Europe.

Gemake has focused on innovation and quality improvement. Over years of efforts, it has developed regular business relations with buyers in Spain and the United Kingdom.

Another company that is eyeing emerging markets is Huangguan Zhisheng, a trading firm focusing on electronics, lighting equipment and smart bracelets.

“The Canton Fair is a gathering of buyers from around the world, providing a rich pool of business partners from a variety of markets. Thus, whether offline or online, it is our prime choice of exhibition,” said Shi Ping, general manager of the company based in Fuzhou, Fujian province.

The company has benefited from participation of the biannual event. It received enquiries from buyers in Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Italy and Japan in June and many of them have placed orders, which has given Shi full confidence in exploring emerging markets at the ongoing fair.