Feature: Chinese product exhibition in Cairo helps boost business

Hassan Nassar, an Egyptian businessman, no longer needs to travel to China later this month to import products, thanks to the ongoing China Homelife Egypt Exhibition in Cairo.

"I planned to travel to China to get a shipment of shoes for my store, but now I have found what I need at this exhibition," Nassar told Xinhua.

The China Homelife Egypt Exhibition kicked off Thursday at Cairo International Fair Ground.

The event, which tours several countries across the world, is the biggest sourcing platform of Chinese products in Egypt.

It comes with over 250 Chinese manufacturers from various sectors such as textile and garments, furniture, home electronics, building materials, household and gifts and lighting.

Nassar said this exhibition saves him time, money and efforts as Chinese goods came directly to him, and he can choose from a large number of varieties.

"I have already ordered a shipment," he happily said. "The procedures are very simple and I will get my shipment within weeks."

"What I really admire is the quality of products and the reasonable prices," said Nassar, who has been doing business with Chinese companies for a decade.

Binu Pillai, the event organizer and also chief operating officer of the MEOrient International Exhibition company, said the main goal of the exhibition is to offer a platform for Chinese companies to explore emerging markets like Egypt, one of the most important markets in the Middle East region.

"The economic situation in Egypt is really growing, the political situation has stabilized, so we feel it is the right time to launch this show in Cairo," Pillai said.

He said some 250 Chinese exhibitors, all medium or top level manufacturers, are showing their products at the exhibition.

"The opening day had some 4000 business visitors ... exhibitors are very happy, they are able to meet the right kind of buyers," he added.

China has become Egypt's No. 1 trading partner with a trade volume of 8.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2014. China is also the largest source of imports of Egypt.

For Chinese exhibitioners, the event is a great chance to market their goods in a promising market like Egypt.

Jacky, a Chinese manager, said the exhibition witnessed a large participation by Egyptian businessmen.

"I can exchange a box of business cards within one day. This is a very good platform for us to expand our business here," he said.

Jacky believes that Egypt is a large market with potentials, providing many business opportunities for investors and exporters.

"Egyptians like our products. My company mainly sells the home-used Sauna equipments. In Egypt, you can rarely find a Sauna place outside, so I believe our products will be welcomed here," he said with a warm smile.

For Sun Dapeng, a chinese representative of a textile company, the growing Egyptian economy made his company decide to open a branch in Egypt to develop their business.

"Our factory produces cloths for Arab robes. We produce in China, and the price of the cloths is competitive. Thanks for the exhibition, my company finds Egypt a very good market for our produce," Dapeng said.

The exhibition, which will conclude on Saturday, is the most important platform for leading Chinese companies to do business in North Africa.

It provides a unique platform for face-to-face meetings, business discussions and matching programs for businessmen from different regions. Endit