The 2009 China Import and Export Fair took place under the continueously spreading global financial crisis and the backlash of US's foreign trade restrictions. China's State Council considered it to be an important event. During the fair, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited the venue and made encouraging remarks to foreign trade workers and to the exhibitors. Ministry of Commerce and local governments also promptly launched a series of policies to support export enterprises. All works contributed to stablize the growth of China’s foreign trade.
A total of 209 countries and regions, 165,436 overseas buyers have attended the 105th China Import and Export Fair. Compared with the previous year, there was a 5.2% drop in number with 9126 less participants. The top five countries and regions with the most participants were: Hong Kong 26863, the United States 9035, Taiwan 8612, Malaysia 6422 and India 5002. There are 57210 new buyers. A total of 2169 companies with international chain attended.
The export turnover of the fair counts 26.23 billion U.S. dollars. There is a 16.9% decrease of 5.32 billion compared with the previous year. Mechanical and electrical products is still a major drive of the show. Electrical goods’ turnover was 11.26 billion U.S. dollars accounting for 42.9% of the total turnover. Compared with the previous year it decreased by 19.5%; light industrial products turnover is 8.37 billion U.S. dollars, reduced by 15.3%, accounting for 31.9% of the total turnover; textile and apparel traded 3.23 billion U.S. dollars, reduced by 11.7%, and accounted for 12.3% of the total turnover.
During this fair, China Import and Export Networking took place. It was the first time in fifty-three years that the fair was opened up to domestic buyers. This is a new attempt under the new economic circumemstance to the use an exhibition platform to promote the trading of exporting producting domesticly, which has a special significance. Success of this fair will help to generate better forms of domestic and foreign trade match-making.
The fair was perceived to be valuable by the exhibitors and buyers for the enhanced service levels. One improvements was found in the newly formed customer service center. Their serving responding and problem-solving are more efficient than the previous year.Complaints received are 1 / 5 of previous year. The other improvement was found in the newly created VIP services which is a great complement to the exhibitors and buyers.
