Zhuhai has impressive presence at Canton Fair

Both established and emerging companies are among 1,731 Zhuhai exhibitors building international trade relations at the April 15-to-May 5 China Import & Export Fair in Guangzhou.

The Zhuhai city government has sent a 182-enterprise delegation to the biannual Canton Fair, which has been a barometer for foreign trade since 1957. They are demonstrating strength in the technology sector with the latest products and technological innovations.

Displays at 578 booths -- 105 (18 percent) of them dedicated to famous brands -- reflect the heavy attention paid to brand cultivation and development, according to local commerce authorities. The companies display an array of high-tech products with independent brands and intellectual property rights.

123rd China Import & Export Fair [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Zhuhai-based Gree Electric Appliances retains a focus of attention as a great number of participants are eager to know what new products the world's leading air conditioner manufacturer is developing.

Others leading the Zhuhai roster are Jinpin Electronics, an LED/DLED TV supplier; Elec-Tech International, engaged in small appliances and LED products; Print-Rite Holdings, one of the world's largest vertically integrated printer supplies manufacturers; and Eastcompeace Technology, leading provider of smart cards and system solutions.

Several emerging local companies, such as Zhuhai Nikko Sports Development, are participating for the first time. And, Zhuhai Kohler Kitchen Products (American Kohler subsidiary in Doumen since 2008) attracted much attention in its debut as a producer of stainless steel kitchen and related accessories. Kohler has long stood out in the domestic building materials industry as being highly innovative. Products enjoy a strong overseas market, especially in the US and Europe. In 2017, export sales exceeded $7 million.

Guangdong Techwoodn of Doumen [Photo courtesy southcn.com]

Zhuhai businesses use the fair to expand customer bases abroad, secure deals, and develop new patterns of foreign trade. According to a delegation head, Zhuhai supports enterprises in international markets, promotes foreign trade structure, and provides a competitive edge. The city's goal is to develop industries through innovation, coordination, environmental awareness, openness, and sharing, a spokesperson said.

Zhuhai's total import-export volume rose 29.4 percent in the first two months of this year, amounting to 48.4 billion yuan ($7.7 billion). This is the second-largest increase within the Pearl River Delta. Development is relatively balanced, with the city earning 29.8 billion yuan ($4.7 billion) in exports and 18.6 billion yuan ($3.0 billion) in imports, up 34.9 percent and 21.5 percent year-on-year, respectively. 

The latest data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) shows that China's exports rose 7.4 percent year on year in the first three months while imports grew 11.7 percent.

Zhuhai Vice Mayor Lu Xiaofeng attended the fair. It is co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the People's Government of Guangdong Province and organized by the China Foreign Trade Centre.