China's largest trade fair in the Middle East, the Chinese
Commodities Fair Sharjah (CCFS), continues to attract visitors in
large numbers from across the region, especially from the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
The third CCFS in Sharjah, a city in the heart of the United
Arab Emirates (UAE), registered a record visitor turnout, according
to the Chinese Ministry of
Commerce. At the end of the first two days, more than 19,000
visitors from 45 countries, visited the CCFS at Expo Center
Sharjah.
Besides the UAE, a large part of the trade visitors at the show
came from the GCC states, particularly Saudi Arabia. The GCC
includes six states: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait,
Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
The five-day CCFS, which closed yesterday, was sponsored by
China's Ministry of Commerce, and organized by Chinamex and Expo
Center Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (SCCI).
The event hosted more than 600 well-known Chinese enterprises
and covered 16,000 square meters.
The large trade visitor turnout at this year's CCFS is being
attributed to its focus on machinery, electronics and high-tech
products, which attracted great interest from traders in the
region.
"The CCFS is an established and highly effective platform for
Chinese companies that are keen to establish a foothold in the
region," said Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
"The CCFS has so far played a vital role in boosting bilateral
relations between the UAE and China," he said.
Trade between the UAE and China totaled US$5.8 billion in 2003
and is expected to reach US$8.7 billion this year. Trade volume
between China and the GCC states as a whole almost reached US$17
billion in 2003.
Expansion is expected to be stepped up as China and the GCC are
set to negotiate the establishment of a free trade agreement soon,
possibly in January.
(China Daily December 9, 2004)
