Expo Centre Sharjah to become a mini China

The upcoming Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah (CCFS) will be the milestone 10^th edition of the show to be hosted by Expo Centre Sharjah.

The show, a comprehensive and cost-effective showcase of Chinese products and technology, will be held from December 5 to 8, 2011.

To celebrate the landmark edition, the show will turn into a “Chinese cities’ expo” – where the exhibition area will be divided into several zones, showcasing the culture, resources and business opportunities of 10 Chinese cities.

Besides, for the first time, a ‘China-Arab City Co-operation Forum’ will be launched during the exhibition with the theme “Economic interaction between cities”.

A press conference to announce the highlights of the upcoming edition of the show was attended by Mr. Hussein Al Mahmoudi, Director-General of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, Mr. Baojun Zhang, Chief Representative, CCPIT Representative Office in Gulf Area, Mr.  Leslie Zhao,Vice President, Chinamex Middle East Investment & Trade Promotion Center and Mr. Patrick Zheng, General Manager, China Machinery & Electronic Products Exhibition Center.                    

“China has been a key partner in the Sharjah’s strategic thrust to boost the development of the Emirate’s business sector and attract more foreign investment. CCFS has been acting as a catalyst to enhance our trade ties and this has resulted in increased trade volumes and more visits by businessmen and trade delegations,” said Mr. Saif Al Midfa.

The coming edition of the show is expected to feature 600 standard booths, which are likely to attract 15,000 trade visitors from more than 70 countries.

Over 400 leading enterprises from 15 Chinese cities will introduce thousands of high quality products to the UAE market, including machinery and electronics, vehicle and components, food and food products, advanced building materials and equipment, native specialties, furniture and household appliances, textile and clothes, sports equipment, and health and medical equipment.

“The success of the past nine editions and the massive build-up for the landmark 10^th edition of the Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah demonstrates the robust trade relations between the UAE and China. Each edition of the show has left its mark in the economic sphere of both the countries and the coming edition will be no different,” said Mr. Hussein Al Mahmoudi.

“The ‘Chinese cities’ theme and the ‘China-Arab City Co-operation Forum’ will be among the slew of new events and activities planned for the coming edition of the show,” said Mr. Al Midfa. 

For the forthcoming edition of CCFS, the 10 Chinese cities will feature local products and investment opportunities, and showcase their high-potential tourism and green energy industries to Middle East investors. Varied architectures, natural resources and lifestyle of participating cities would also be on show.

Committed to deepen comprehensive understanding and explore effective communication strategies among cities, the China-Arab City Co-operation Forum will establish a platform to share expertise and highlight opportunities. The forum will invite participants from government departments, associations and enterprises from both sides.

For the past nine editions, CCFS has witnessed the participation of over 4,000 Chinese enterprises and attracted 250,000 trade visitors from 67 countries. The total trade generated by all editions of the fair amounted to US$ 3.31 billion.

“Being the most effective and prominent platform targeting the Middle East market, CCFS has introduced a variety of Chinese products with high quality and low costs to the UAE, helping establish extensive connections between GCC importers and Chinese enterprises,” Mr.  Leslie Zhao,Vice President, Chinamex Middle East Investment & Trade Promotion Center said.

“CCFS will continue to play a sustained positive role in enhancing co-operation and friendship between China and the Arab World,” he added.

“Machinery and electronics, textile, vehicle components and light industrial goods are among the best-selling Chinese products, which will all be displayed at CCFS. Building materials and heavy machinery are also major focus areas due to the growing demand of urban infrastructure in the UAE,” Mr. Patrick Zheng said.

China will also showcase its abundant tourism resources at the show. In 2010, China had become the third largest country for inbound tourism and fourth largest country for outbound travel and consumption.

Another highlight of the fair will be the introduction of the rich cultural heritage and human resources of China to the UAE aimed at stimulating co-operation.

China has 655 cities at prefecture level, most of which enjoy diversified resources and huge potential for investment that is yet to be tapped by Middle East investors. Endeavours are made by local municipalities to build an open, fair and transparent business environment.

CCFS is sponsored by Chinese Ministry of Commerce and Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and organized by China Machinery Exhibition Centre (Chinamex) and Expo Centre Sharjah.