Fewer buyers at China Import and Export Fair

05 Nov '12

2 min read

There was a reduction in number of buyers attending the third phase of China Import and Export Fair, also called Canton Fair, this year.

The number of buyers visiting the third phase of the Canton Fair on the first day was 10 percent less compared to the visitors last year, according to the official data.

The buyers from Europe were 11 percent less than last year, while those from Japan and the US fell by 10 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

The first two phases of the Canton Fair are considered as barometer of China’s foreign trade, especially the export situation, for the next six months, while the third phase is mainly for bulk exports of textiles, garments, footwear, bags, etc.

Currently, two types of transfers are going on from China to other countries. First is the shift in investment, especially in labour-intensive industries like the textiles and garments.

The second transfer, a more common occurrence, is the shift in new orders to the Southeast Asian countries, while the enterprises stay in China.

Commenting on the situation, Zhang Xinmin, Vice president of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles, said at the Canton Fair that the transfer of textile and garment orders was significant, especially orders from the European and Japanese markets.

Zhang Xialing, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Trade Division in the Ministry of Commerce, said the textiles and apparel trade pattern in the world is changing.

He said while China's clothing industry has consolidated its position in the world, countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam have replaced South Korea and Taiwan to become important garment suppliers in the world.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - China

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