Chinese Commodities Fair opens today in Sharjah

The cost-effective and competitively priced Chinese commodities will help regional traders to meet their sourcing demands within their budgets and timeframe, opined a cross section of exhibitors and visitors to the seventh Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah that got under way at Expo Centre Sharjah today.

The four-day show was opened by Mr. Gao Youzhen, Consul General, Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai and Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and will run until December 4, 2008. The Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Zhuang Ruijin, Counsellor,The Economic and Commercial Counsellor's Office of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Arab Emirates,Mr. Xie Qinsheng, Counsellor,The Economic and Commercial Section of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai,Mr. Patrick Zheng,General Manager,China Machinery & Electronic Products Exhibition Center, Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah, Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Advisor to the Chairman and Board of Directors, Expo Centre Sharjah, government officials, industry representatives and others.

"China can play a key role in the changing economic scenario. Experts are of the opinion that emerging nations are better placed to tackle the current financial crunch and better trade relations with China will do the Middle East economies a world of good in the long run,"

said Mr Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa after the opening ceremony.

"Huge advances in technology and availability of cheap labour have allowed China to level the global playing field and compete for superpower status in trade. The Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah will help bring top-of-the-range goods with standardised quality guarantees to the regional market," said Mr Midfa.

More than 400 companies from about 30 provinces and autonomous regions of China are displaying over 10,000 products, including 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 at the show.

"The importance of the show has to be seen in the context of increasing bilateral trade and economic ties between the UAE and China," said Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

Trade between China and the Middle East has doubled since 2000, to $240bn, and is estimated to grow by several times over the next decade. The UAE estimates that its two-way trade with China will grow sevenfold by 2015, to $100bn from $14.2bn in 2006.

"The present economic conditions are highly favourable for both countries to build upon these strong trade relations," added Mr Midfa.
Based on the feedback from its previous shows and visitor demand, the CCFS this year has laid emphasis on four sections: high technology products; agricultural products, light industry and textile products; furniture & building materials and decorating materials.

"The demand for various products and materials is huge when you take into consideration the number of infrastructure projects and construction activities that are taking place all over the region. This has given rise to enormous opportunities, making the show a must-visit event for industry representatives seeking latest Chinese products and services," said Mr Khan.

"The CCFS is a highly anticipated event in the region. For wholesale & retail traders, distributors, stockists and industry representatives, the show represents a key avenue to obtain latest Chinese technology and services, network and take advantage of low prices and volume products," added Mr Khan.

The Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah 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.