Speech on the Conclusion of the 99th Session of
China Import and Export Fair
Delivered by Mr. Xu Bing
Vice Secretary General and Spokesman of the Canton Fair
Dear journalists, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning!
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, and with the great support and co-operation from the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, the CPC Guangzhou Municipal Committee and the People’s Government of Guangzhou Municipality, as well as the concerted efforts from all trading delegations, chambers of commerce, buyers and exhibitors, the 99th session of China Import and Export Fair has successfully fulfilled all tasks and accomplished great achievement. Today, on the occasion of the conclusion of the 99th session of the Canton Fair, I would like to deliver a brief review on this session of the Canton Fair.
Firstly, the total number of overseas buyers exceeds 190,000.
In the 99th session of the Canton Fair, the number of buyers from 211 countries and regions reaches 190,011, increased by 7.2% over the 98th session.
The number of American and African buyers has increased this session, which reaches 25,170 and 13,070, increased by 13.2% and 50.9% respectively over the 98th session; the number of Asian and Oceania buyers reaches 107,568 and 6,166, increased by 7.6% and 10.2% respectively over the 98th session; there is a decrease in the number of European buyers, with a total number of 34,043, dropped by 8.4% over the 98th session.
In terms of participating buyers, the top five countries and regions are Hong Kong SAR, USA, Taiwan Province, Korea and Japan, whose numbers of buyers reach 29,453, 12,370, 10,186, 6,299, and 5,819 respectively.
Both the numbers of regular buyers and new buyers to the Fair keep increasing. Specifically, the total number of new buyers reaches 88,710, increased by 8.3%; regular buyers 101,301, increased by 6.3%.
Eighty-one famous multinational retailers attend the Fair, fourteen of which are among the top 20 retailers of the world. Among them, 11 retailers are qualified to enjoy the Multinationals Sourcing Service.
Secondly, the turnover of export exceeds USD 30 billion for the first time.
The total turnover of this session reaches USD 32.22 billion, with an increase of 9.5% over the last session. This total turnover, exceeding USD 30 billion for the first time, also hit a historical high.
Regarding the trade volume, the EU, the US and the Middle East rank the top 3. Their trade volumes are USD 10.65 billion, USD 4.7 billion and USD 4.28 billion respectively, accounting for 33.1%, 14.6% and 13.3% of the total.
In terms of the transaction of major merchandise, the trade volume of machinery and electronic products reaches USD 12.98 billion, accounting for 40.3% of the total, increased by 6% over the last session. Garments trade gains a restorable increase in this session. The trade volume of garment and fashion fittings reaches USD 2.87 billion, and the trade volume of textile yarn, fabrics reaches USD 2.34 billion, with an increase of 16.6% and 4.7% respectively; the trade volume of farm produce achieves a considerable increase, with an increase of 19.9% over the previous session.
For the total trading turnover of different provinces and cities, eastern coastal area takes a dominant seat. Among all trading delegations, Guangdong province ranks the first with a trade volume of USD 8.37 billion, increased 7.6% over the last session. The second is Zhejiang province and the third is Jiangsu province, whose transaction volumes are USD 4.57 billion and USD 3.3 billion, increased by 8.8% and 7.4% respectively over that of the 98th session. Trade volume achieved by provinces from the central part of China keeps increasing. Take Anhui and Hubei for example, their trade volumes reach USD 0.82 billion and USD 0.71 billion, increased by 24.1% and 34.7% respectively over that of last session. The top 3 fast-increasing provinces are Qinghai, Inner Mongolia and Guangxi, whose trade volumes increase 48.3%, 41%, and 40.1% respectively.
Concerning the nature of enterprises, the trade volume of private-run enterprises, state-owned industries and foreign-funded enterprises is USD 15.56 billion, USD 12.2 billion and USD 4.46 billion, accounting for 48.3%, 37.9%, and 13.8% respectively.
Apart from the above, E-commerce plays an active role in the export transaction. We continue to develop E-business via “ Canton Fair website”, “Canton Fair Online” and “Online Machinery & Electronic Canton Fair”. We engage ourselves in carrying out more new programs and improving the information function to achieve innovation on trading ways. Up to 16:00 pm, April 29, the total visiting number of these three Websites reaches 110 million, increased by 11.6% over last session; the intent-transaction made on the Online- Canton Fair reaches USD 420 million, increased by 10.5% against the last session.
Thirdly, the turnover of brand name enterprises is remarkable, and the export brand promotion strategy has achieved notable results.
The Fair has further enlarged the Brand Product Zone, in which the number of booths reaches 4,182, accounting for 14% of the total number. 808 brand name enterprises exhibit their products in the Fair. The turnover of the Brand Product Zone reaches USD 8.25 billion, accounting for 25.6% of the total turnover, increased by 2.7% over the 98th session.
The Brand Product Zone in the first phase mainly exhibits the household electrical appliances and electronic information products. The total turnover reaches USD 6.63 billion, accounting for 31.6% of the total turnover of the first phase. Among them, the turnover of Midea Group reaches USD 0.9 billion, the turnover of Galanz Group reaches USD 0.63 billion, and the turnover of Haier Group reaches USD 0.47 billion.
The turnover of the second phase reaches USD 1.62 billion, accounting for 14.4% of the total turnover, which is 7.5% higher than that of the 98th session. From this figure, we can see that the light industry brand names have begun to establish their own images successfully. The turnover of the ceramics exhibition section reaches USD 0.32 billion, the turnover of the office supplies section reaches USD 0.29 billion, the turnover of the houseware, kitchen & tableware exhibition section reaches USD 0.22 billion, the turnover of gifts exhibition section reaches USD 0.16 billion, and the turnover of sporting goods, tour equipment & casual goods section reaches USD 0.11 billion.
Fourthly, improving the booth assessment system and raising the display standard.
The 99th session has innovated in the exhibition preparation. The former key exhibition sectors are canceled, instead, the custom-built booth sector and standard booth sector are established for the first time. This practice, geared to the international standard, has received extensive support from exhibitors and buyers.
In this session, the Fair has held an assessment activity towards the custom-built booths, in which 141 enterprises have been awarded the excellent displaying exhibitors, while 65 enterprises, because of their unfavorable display effects, have been given the warning to improve in the limited period.
Fifthly, continuously strengthening the protection of IPR.
We have engaged in implementing the Measures for the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights during Exhibitions and strengthening the protection of IPR. According to the statistics, this session has received 472 complaints concerning IPR infringement. There are 743 enterprises being complained, reduced by 9.6% over last session. The infringement of IPR has been identified within 419 enterprises, 7.7% less than last session.
As a part of “Blue Sky Exhibition Campaign”, which is a special activity for the protection of IPR during exhibitions in 2006, the Ministry of Commerce and four other ministries and commissions have started specific training programs on protection of IPR during the Fair.
Sixthly, continuously improving the quality of exhibition management and service.
We have strengthened the booth management. 70 inspectors within 7 inspection teams have conducted a detailed inspection upon all the booths. On the basis of careful investigation, 3 enterprises have been given penalties for the violation of relevant regulations by the Business Office.
We have made a great effort on safety protection and hygiene guarantee. During the Fair, we have reinforced all kinds of safety security and improved surveillance measures. Neither infectious disease nor food poisoning has been reported during this session.
Lastly, on behalf of all the staff of News Centre of Canton Fair, please allow me to express our sincere thanks to the media for the excellent job they have done and the great support they have given. It has been a great pleasure to work along side with them. Thank you very much!
