The 19th China International Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Fair, a pivotal event for global small and medium businesses, opened on November 15th in Guangzhou, showcasing the dynamic spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation.
With 1,877 enterprises from home and abroad participating, the fair has once again proven to be a significant platform for SMEs to connect, collaborate, and expand their reach into the Chinese market and beyond.
The fair this year attracted 400 exhibiting companies from 35 countries, regions, and international organizations, who brought a diverse array of local specialty products, covering multiple sectors such as food and beverages, consumer goods, craft gifts, textiles, cosmetics, fashionable apparel, and more, highlighting the fair's role as a vital bridge for SMEs entering the Chinese market and for Chinese SMEs to reach out to global markets.
International exhibitors: nice experience at the fair
Among the participants was Amr Mohamed from EINile Company, an Egyptian firm looking to penetrate the Chinese market with their traditional Egyptian herbs and spices, including black lemon, yellow lemon, rosemary, fennel, caraway, lemongrass, mint, and more. "We hope to open our market for our product here and sell it here," he said, expressing the common sentiment of many international SME exhibitors eager to tap into the vast Chinese market. As Amr Mohamed noted, the fair provides a platform for direct communication and negotiation, allowing international SMEs to showcase their products and secure deals.
For Jiyu Song, CEO and Head Researcher of Beauty In Asia Co. Ltd. from South Korea, the fair was a first-time experience that opened doors to new opportunities. "We specialize in a special mask pack, and this is our first here at the fair. (We have had) a very exciting experience here", she explained, highlighting the innovative products that attract the attention of many customers at the fair, with many expressing keen interest in their products.
The exhibitors at the Iranian hall also found the fair to be a successful venture. "Today was really good, and we saw many customers," one exhibitor from the Iranian hall noted, emphasizing the positive reception of their products, which are mainly in the cosmetics sector, such as their famous Iranian rose water spray. He noted that the fair serves as a testing ground for market acceptance of these Iranian goods, providing valuable insights into consumer preferences and market potential.
The fair: a platform to try out future cooperation modes
Looking ahead, many exhibitors, like the Iranian firm, have plans to develop further within the Greater Bay Area (GBA). "We have a plan to find some companies that can be our distributor," the Iranian exhibitor mentioned, outlining their strategy for long-term cooperation and growth. The prospect of partnering with Chinese companies as suppliers offers a mutually beneficial arrangement, where Iranian companies can provide competitive pricing and support to help Chinese distributors grow and reap more profits.
The China International SMEs Fair this year has once again demonstrated the power of international collaboration and the potential for SMEs to drive economic growth and innovation. The fair's success is a testament to China's emphasis on SME development, which is not just a short-term strategy but a long-term commitment.
With a focus on specialization, refinement, niche market dominance, and innovation, Chinese SMEs have made significant strides in high-quality development. The cumulative cultivation of over 140,000 specialized SMEs and 14,600 "little giant" enterprises, along with the establishment of 300 SME characteristic industry clusters and 15 cooperation zones for Chinese and foreign SMEs, speaks volumes about the country's dedication to fostering a robust SME ecosystem, offering SMEs a stable and supportive environment for growth and development.
