Feature: China Trade Fair shows promising trade prospect between Egypt, China

The third edition of China Trade Fair Egypt has registered 100 percent growth in exhibitor number, featuring 500 Chinese leading companies and over 20,000 products.

The three-day fair, held at Cairo International Convention Center, kicked off on Thursday.

Looked like a mini-China, the fair gathered hundreds of Chinese business men showing their products at the hall that was decorated with red slogans and signs, reflecting a taste of Chinese culture.

Key product sectors at the show include textile and garments, home appliances, lighting, building material, gifts, household, hardware, tools and food.

"This is the third China Trade Fair in Egypt, the growing exhibitor number reflects the keen interest of Chinese supplier to do business with their Egyptian counterparts," Zhou Chunxiang, project manager with Meorient international exhibition company which organized the exhibition, told Xinhua.

"We hope to build a platform not only in Egypt, but also in Africa and the Middle East to help the Chinese companies enter the market and satisfy the demand in the regions," she said.

She said the exhibition provides the buyers and sellers with different kinds of services, including a market matching zone, translation and consultation.

China Trade Fair is a series of trade show held in nine countries including Poland, Turkey, South Africa, Jordan, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Egypt, the UAE (Dubai) and India; it is a part of the official platform of China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

The close ties between China and Egypt enjoy a further strength where such fairs made it possible for Egyptian traders to interact with quality manufacturers from China, and at the same time give more opportunities for Chinese companies to start business in North Africa's most populous country.

Chen Sheng, a project manager with Dongguan Lontion industrial company that focuses on digital production, said it is a good chance to market the company's products in Egypt.

He said his company mainly manufactures solar air lantern which can be used for eight hours after charged. They also make solar bags which are suitable for safari journeys.

"We hold great expectations to find some trade opportunities here, because in Egypt, a country with great sunshine but in lack of energy, these solar products will really improve people's life. Meanwhile, the solar energy is a kind of clean energy," Chen told Xinhua.

Another Chinese businessman named Qian Guanjun showed colorful electric torch in his exhibition space, attracting many customers.

"I didn't expect so many visitors," Qian told Xinhua, "my company really wants to take this chance to enter Egyptian market."

Just like Qian and Chen, more Chinese businessmen are seeking overseas market with high quality products.

This attitude provided Egyptian businessmen with confidence in the Chinese traders who flew all the way to Egypt to offer face-to-face meetings and business discussions for true partnership.

Mohammed al-Sayyed, an importer of home curtains, has reached a business deal with a Chinese company in less than half an hour.

He said this was the fastest business deal he has ever done as an importer, adding that the exhibition helped him save money as he planned to travel to China to order some products for his business in Egypt.

"I have done this here... the real costs were the money I paid for the translator and the fuel for my car," he said with a smile. Endit