While the organisers of the China International Consumer Goods Fair 2009 (CICGF) recognise that the global slowdown will impact the upcoming fair, they remain optimistic about the business opportunities that the fair will generate.
The CICGF will be held on June 8 to 12 in the Chinese harbor city of Ningbo. It has been held annually since 2002.
Minister Li, the Vice Director of the Ningbo Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, told FREE ACCESS that he expects the opportunities presented by the CICGF are greater than the challenges.
“The global downturn will surely have its negative effects on the fair, but it will bring business opportunities to the fair as well,” said Minister Li.
“The reason is clear: while people are reducing purchases on luxurious and higher-cost goods, they are putting more attention to the daily-used consumer goods and spending more money, some of which are essential in daily life. CICGF 2009 faces both challenges and opportunities. As China’s number one international consumer goods fair, the opportunity is greater than challenge, in my opinion.”
With an exhibiting space of 90,000 sq m, 4000 booths will be set up at CICGF 2009, which will be divided into the following 8 exhibiting sections: household textiles and garments; home appliances and electronics; furniture and office supply; sports, travel and recreation products; articles of daily use; arts-crafts and gifts； foodstuffs; overseas exhibits and trade service.
Ningbo is said to be one of the three largest electric home appliance manufacturing bases in China (the others are Qingdao and Guangdong). There are thousands of manufacturers in the immediate area. Among the 4000 booths, about 1500 are for home appliances and electronics. Many of the companies are in the vicinity of the fair venue, and it’s easy to visit.
According to Minister Li, some of the highlights of the show include:
- More famous Chinese brands – Many well known and new brand products will be displayed at the fair. As the global financial downturn is having more effect on the world economy and China’s export is reducing, Chinese companies will seize the opportunity to show their best quality products at the fair and to promote trade.
- More overseas exhibitors - The fair organizer encourages exhibitors from all over the world to have their booth at the fair, since it is an international trade platform. At the fair, you will see Thai Pavilion, Malaysian Pavilion, Spanish Pavilion, Mexican Pavilion, Taiwan Pavilion, etc. More are applying. There are great potentials in the Chinese market, and it’s a good opportunity to enter thru the fair.
- Better services - free bus shuttle service for overseas visitors between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Ningbo, prior to and during the fair ( schedule to come out on www.cicgf.com); a curb issued by the Municipal Government, restraining hotel room charges; on-site Muslim and Christian prayer rooms; volunteer English/Japanese/German student interpreters; assistance in other trade services, etc.
Minister Li said the purpose of the fair was to build a trade platform for suppliers and buyers in consumer goods arena from all over the world.
“You can see, the fair is mainly export-oriented, but import to China is also encouraged and there is the Overseas Exhibit Section,” he said.
“Our future aim is to make CICGF one of the largest professional consumer goods in the world.”
For more information available at the website: www.cgfair.com.
