Sixth edition of CCFS to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from November 18

The five-day exhibition, primarily intended at displaying China's economic marvel in the region, will host over 400 well-known companies from more than 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China.

Among the industries that will be represented at the exhibition are hardware and building materials, special vehicles, agri-food products, engineering machine and parts, and light industries.

The CCFS is an event that is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. It is jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and organised by Chinamex and Expo Centre Sharjah.

'The CCFS has been functioning as a major gateway for Chinese enterprises entering the booming Middle East market,' said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Advisor to Chairman and Board of Directors of Expo Centre Sharjah, during a media briefing on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, at Expo Centre Sharjah.

'Besides, the event has over a period of time established itself as the Middle East's largest and only comprehensive sourcing platform for high quality Chinese goods and services. With every passing edition, the Fair has been reporting an increase in visitor turnout as well as a surge in business generation. The overwhelming success that CCFS has so far achieved is a reflection of the strong buoyancy that is present in the economic relations between China and the region,' he added.

In the last five editions combined, CCFS had hosted a total of 6,660 exhibitors representing 3,058 companies from across China. More than 230,000 visitors from 67 countries had visited these editions. The total trade generated by all the editions of CCFS held so far exceeds $1.869bn.

The fifth edition of CCFS, which was held at Expo Centre Sharjah from November 25- 29, 2006, featured 10,000 products from more than 29 provinces and municipalities from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The event attracted a total of 50,352 visitors of which a significant number were trade visitors.

'The CCFS has steadfastly been reflecting the strengthening trade relations between China and the GCC region,' said Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

'It will be our endeavour to ensure that the CCFS continues to be a major accelerating factor in fostering even more strong ties between China and the region in general and the UAE in particular,' he added.

Trade between China and the GCC region has been progressing at a steady pace. It soared 46% from 2003 to $24bn in 2004, then by 32% to $32bn in 2005 and finally by 34% to over $40bn in 2006.

Two-way trade between the UAE and China surged 31.5 % to $14.2bn in 2006 to position the country as the largest trading partner of China in the GCC.

Sino-UAE trade is targeted to reach $100bn by 2015.

Mr. Saif Al Midfa further said: 'The CCFS is not only the Middle East's biggest sourcing platform for high quality and affordable Chinese products and services but it is also an effective networking platform that enables traders, entrepreneurs, and other businessmen from the region to explore business opportunities in China and vice versa. Considering the growing significance of trade with China, we expect a significant increase in visitor turnout from the region at this year's CCFS over the last edition.'

Commenting on the exhibit profile of the show, he said: 'Though this year's CCFS will feature a highly focused exhibit profile, it will continue to be the region's single largest gathering of Chinese companies.'

CCFS 2007 will be open from 10 am to 1 pm for trade only and from 5 pm to 9 pm for both trade and public. Children below 16 years will not be allowed.