The online China Import and Export Fair has showcased its strong ability to connect international supply and demand resources during the pandemic, insiders said.The event helps China’s foreign traders to receive orders, expand markets and plan new development as the global supply chain restores order, they said.A foreign trade company of Orient International Holding made the first deal of the Shanghai trade group at the 129th fair.A representative from Orient International said the deal’s products are mainly switches, sockets and lamp holders, which were sold to African countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, such as Ghana and Nigeria.Most of the products will be used for local infrastructure projects and some for civil use, the representative said, adding that the deal gave them confidence.Affected by the pandemic, export business volume of the company’s electronic products was only $170,000 in last year’s first quarter, a year-on-year decrease of about 76 percent. It has developed new products and markets to counteract the severe foreign trade setback.It designed novel, multi-functional and cost-effective goods according to demands of clients, the representative said. It developed wall switches with new materials that can resist heat considering the high temperatures in Africa.The company also studied countries involved in the Belt and Road initiative and members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. It put more efforts into developing markets in Thailand, Pakistan, Singapore and Malaysia.Previous clients of Orient International were mainly African importers and middlemen. By attending the online fair several times, it contacted many small and medium-sized clients and found local metal markets, the representative said, adding they could supply products directly to commercial tenants at the markets.The company’s electronic products saw its transaction volume reach $370,000 in the first quarter of 2021, a year-on-year rise of 117 percent. It expected this year’s exports to increase by 30 percent.The Tianjin trade group also used the fair to expand business. Tianjin Xinrong Artware, a manufacturer of simulated flowers and bonsais, has made several deals and become acquainted with more than 10 new purchasers at the 129th fair.It has invited clients to attend the fair and generated a strategy of maintaining regular clients, focusing on important clients and considering new clients.It also redecorated the display hall shown to visitors by livestreaming and adjusted placement of exhibits according to products’ technological features, target markets and importance.New products have been put into the background of live broadcasts and drawn attention from overseas purchasers, representatives from the company said, adding some European and American buyers signed contracts just during the broadcasts.Via online fairs, the company also found that many overseas countries and regions restricted business activities because of the pandemic and the mail is becoming an important way to circulate commodities.It no longer packages several hundred items of goods into one container and asks local distributors to sub-package and sell them at retail. Instead, it packages each commodity item and distributors can directly sort and deliver them, which is popular among European and American buyers.
