Chinese Commodities Fair in Sharjah sees $2.287bn in deals during its past six shows

This was announced at a press conference that was organized to launch the seventh edition of the Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah at Expo Centre Sharjah.

The press conference was attended by Mr. Xie Qinsheng, Economic and Commercial Counselor, Consulate General of People's Republic of China in Dubai, Mr. Yu Tao, Chairman, Chinese Business Council in UAE/ General Manager, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, Mr. Zheng Shuo, General Manager, Chinamex, Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General, Expo Centre Sharjah, and Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Advisor to the Chairman and Board of Directors, Expo Centre Sharjah.

The CCFS, the region's largest trade platform for high-quality Chinese products and services, also witnessed the participation of about 7,360 representatives from 3,458 Chinese enterprises during its past six shows.

Nearly 208,000 traders (including 117,000 professionals) from 67 countries and regions have negotiated and completed several deals amounting to $2.287bn during this period.

"The UAE is China's second largest trade partner among the GCC countries and the largest market for Chinese exports in the region. The CCFS plays a very important role in promoting bilateral economic and trade development between China and Middle East and its neighboring regions," said Mr Midfa.

Playing a key role in boosting exports from China, CCFS is China's first exhibition that targets the whole of GCC and is well known for its comparative large scale and the vast reach in the entire Middle East.

This year the fair will host more than 400 companies from over 30 provinces and autonomous regions of China. More than 10,000 products will go under display during the four-day show.

"The Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah features the largest gathering of Chinese enterprises in the region and provides easy access to a significant range of quality Chinese items under one roof," added Mr Midfa.

The CCFS this year will include four sections: high technology products; agricultural products, light industry and textile products; furniture & building materials and decorating materials.

The show has, over the years, acquired the reputation as the Chinese "Canton Fair in the Middle East" and has become the biggest brands display in the region.

For Chinese companies, CCFS is the best platform to gain access to a vast market. Beijing Gelanry Trading Co. Ltd has taken part in the past show and signed deals with eight purchasers from three countries for over $5m orders, which makes 40% of its annual sales income. A top executive of Gelanry Trading Co. Ltd said the show is now the best choice for his company to develop the Middle East market and he has confirmed participation this year too.

"The Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah has won applause from the regional trading community for being 'China's first exhibition for the entire GCC', where Chinese commodities are in high demand and appreciated for their good quality and competitive prices," said Mr Khan.

"While it is a key platform for traders from the region to source quality products for prices that are the best in the industry, for the Chinese companies the show is an invaluable opportunity to gain access to several countries from a single venue and at the same time set up shop in the region,"

added Mr Khan.

Anhui Shengshi Optical Glass Co., Ltd, which is a famous for researching and developing crystal glass building decoration products, is a good example in this regard. The firm has participated in the past editions of the show, and encouraged by the rise in sales has set up a subsidiary in the UAE called Marsa Dubai Trading LLC.

Tongling Redstar Plumbing Co has participated twice and has gained access to markets in over 30 countries, including the UAE, Sudan, Algeria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Products on display at the show will include vehicles & parts, hardware & tools, machine tools & parts, household electrical appliances, electronic products, foodstuff, medicines & health products, garments, household textile, commodities, kitchen utensils, lights & decoration products, building materials, decoration materials and household furniture.

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