Two foreign customers look at Chinese motorcycles at the 106th China Import and Export Trade Fair, or Canton Fair.
The China Import and Export Fair, better known as the Canton Fair, is the country’s largest export platform.
The fair, under way through Nov 4 in Guangzhou, is among venues helping local exporters connect with buyers from South America, Africa and the Middle East.
Tianjin Jinmao Group Co Ltd, China’s largest home equipment and tool provider and exporter, began to feel the pinch of a rapid decline in exports to the US and Europe late last year.
The two regions make up Jinmao’s top two overseas markets, with the US accounting for 50 percent and Europe 30 percent of its sales abroad.
But the financial crisis also served to help the company find new niche markets.
“Surprisingly, Australia is the only market that has been growing despite the global financial tsunami,” said Sunny Yen, vice general manager of Tianjin Jinmao Group.
While sales from the US and Western Europe dipped by “over 20 percent” during the first eight months of this year, sales from Australia rose by “28 percent”, Yen said.
Li Jie, Jinmao’s president, led a team to Australia last month to visit old clients and establish new contacts.
“For years, the US and Europe were the only targets of Jinmao. Australia was always neglected, but now things are different,” Yen said. read more at ChinaDaily.com…
See earlier article: Canton Fair booths brimming with bustle