Ties between BRI buyers and Canton Fair

By Emma Lam

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has brought more business opportunities to the Canton Fair. Trade associations reported rises in the number of buyers from countries and regions along the B&R.

Old friends of the Fair from B&R countries and regions have not only witnessed the growth of the fair, but have also carried the benefits of the trade fair back to their home countries.

Indispensable gateway for Indonesian enterprises. "The Canton Fair a platform for buyers from all over the world to develop their business and strengthen cooperation," said Mr. Alim Markus, Chairman of the Indonesia China Business Council (ICBC) and President of the Maspion Group, "It is an indispensable gateway for Indonesian enterprises to explore the Chinese market, and that opportunity cannot be missed."

For Maspion Group, it is not only the Chinese market, but also the buyers from around the world who come to the Fair, that represent a global business resource that cannot be accessed through any other exhibitions in Southeast Asia. In 2011, the ICBC officially became one of the most important business partners of the Canton Fair in Indonesia and continues to be so.

Promoting trade between China and Malaysia. Ethnically Chinese, Dato' Chong Chong Tik, Chairman of the the Malaysia - China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (M-CCPIT) and Director of the ES Event Management SDN. BHD., has for decades been promoting the development of exchange between China and Malaysia.

Since the 100th Canton Fair when the import exhibition was first established, ES Event Management has brought 1,297 Malaysian exhibitors to the fair. Following the launch of the BRI, the Canton Fair has focused on attracting exhibitors from the B&R countries and regions to the import exhibition area, so that more Malaysian enterprises can participate in the Fair.

"I have devoted most of my life to developing trade between Malaysia and China, because I think it is a very meaningful thing and my mission as Chairman of the M-CCPIT," Chong said.

BRI promotes common development. Kawan Lama Group from Indonesia sends nearly 50 buyers to attend both sessions of the Canton Fair every year. "The Fair is the purchasing base for Kawan Lama. Most of our products are purchased at the fair," said William Widjaja, Purchasing Director of Kawan Lama Group.

Mr. Kuncoro Wibowo, President of Kawan Lama Group said, "The proposal and implementation of the BRI enables Kawan Lama Group not only to do business in China, but also to achieve positive results with our other global partners and promote the common development of all nations, which is very much in line with the way Kawan Lama Group operates."