Significant Reform of the Canton Fair Three Phases in 104th Session

Approved by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, the 104th session of China Import and Export Fair (also renowned as the Canton Fair) has adjusted its exhibition period by splitting 2 phases into three and will be held from 15 October to 6 November, 2008. Each phase will last 5 days instead of 6 with 2 intervals for 4 days each. All three phases will be held in the Pazhou Complex, while Liuhua Complex will no longer be used.

Mr. Xu Bing, Deputy Secretary General and spokesman of the Canton Fair released this news to the media in the press conference on April 26.

According to Mr. Xu, after splitting the Canton Fair into 3 phases, the Phase 1 of the 104th session is from 15 to 19 October, exhibiting Large Machinery and Equipment, Small Machinery, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Vehicle Spare Parts, Chemical Products, Hardware, Tools, Vehicles (Outdoor), Construction Machinery (Outdoor), Household Electrical Appliances, Consumer Electronics, Electronic and Electrical Products, Computer and Communication Products, Lighting Equipment, Building and Decorative materials, Sanitary and Bathroom Equipment, and International Pavilion.

With an interval from October 20 to 23, Phase 2 is from October 24 to 28, exhibiting Kitchenware & Tableware, General Ceramics, Art Ceramics, Home Decorations, Glass Artware, Furniture, Weaving, Rattan and Iron Arts, Gardening Products, Stone and Iron Products (Outdoor), Household Items, Personal Care Products, Toiletries, Clocks, Watches & Optical Instruments, Toys, Gifts and Premiums, Festival Products.

With the second interval from October 29 to November 1, Phase 3 is from November 2 to 6, exhibiting Men and Women's Clothes, Kids' Wear, Underwear, Sports and Casual Wear, Furs, Leather, Downs & Related products, Fashion Accessories and Fittings, Home Textiles, Textile Raw Materials & Fabrics, Carpets & Tapestries, Food, Native Produce, Medicines and Health Products, Medical Devices, Disposables and dressings, Sports, Travel and Recreation Products, Office Supplies, Shoes, Cases and Bags.

Mr. Xu Bing introduces that after the Fair's splitting into 3 phases, great changes will take place on the organization mode of the 104th session compared with its previous one. First, the scale is enlarged further; Second, exhibition period is extended; Third, all 3 phases will be held in Pazhou Complex; Fourth, major categories and exhibition sections will be rearranged. Textiles & Garments, Medicines & Health Products formerly exhibited in Phase 1 and Cases & Bags, Office Supplies, Sports, Travel and Recreation Products, Food, Native Produce formerly exhibited in Phase 2 will be arranged in Phase 3; Five, exhibition categories will be optimally rearranged into 50 from 34.

In response to a reporter's question why the Canton Fair will be split into three phases, Mr. Wang Junwen, Vice President of the Canton Fair and Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Center states that the Canton Fair is continually adapting itself to the specialized trend of international exhibition industry, and making efforts to resolve the contradiction that the existing scale still cannot meet the demand of the domestic and overseas exhibiting enterprises. Through this reform, the Canton Fair can achieve a considerable expansion in scale, a higher level in specialization, and more participation opportunities for the exhibitors.

The implementation of 3 phases of the Canton Fair will continue to maintain its features and advantages as a comprehensive trade show. The area of related specialized exhibition sections will be enlarged, and according to sourcing objectives and exhibits' usage, exhibition sections will be rearranged conforming to overseas buyers' habits and general practice of exhibition classification of international exhibitions. Therefore, the specialization of the Canton Fair will be improved.

After the Fair is held in 3 phases, Liuhua Complex will no longer be used; instead, Pazhou Complex will be the only venue. The supporting project of Pazhou Complex will be completed in the second half of this year. Before the opening of the 104th session, the Area A, B and C of the Pazhou Complex will all be put into use. Apart from the advanced world level service facilities the Fair will offer, we will also provide buyers with more abundant products, which are conducive to increasing sourcing efficiency and attracting more international buyers to the Canton Fair.

Mr. Wang Junwen also points out that the Canton Fair has achieved great success after splitting into 2 phases since its 91st session in 2002. In the recent 6 years, the Canton Fair has developed better and better and enjoyed high reputation among the exhibitors and buyers. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, the research and investigation of the reform proposal has lasted for over 1 year and collected suggestions from all relevant sides, especially exhibitors and buyers through various means such as survey, seminar, on-site interview, and email. The exhibitors and buyers generally support the Canton Fair's reform for 1 session in 3 phases.

Mr. Wang emphasizes that as the organizer of the Canton Fair, China Foreign Trade Centre will continuously enhance its construction of both domestic and overseas marketing networks, increase input and strengthen promotion as well as invitation of exhibitors and buyers.

He also expresses that with care and support from the central government, trading delegations, various associations, and a large number of exhibitors and buyers all over the world, under the correct leadership of the Ministry of Commerce of People's Republic of China and People's government of Guangdong Province, and with wholehearted support from People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality and related departments, the significant reform of the Canton Fair for one session in 3 phases will certainly succeed, and provide more business opportunities to numerous buyers.