#China #Guangzhou #Global Trade #Canton Fair

The 138th Canton Fair: Paving the Way for Global Trade

The ongoing 138th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, is currently taking place from October 15 to November 4 in the bustling city of Guangzhou. This long-standing event is a cornerstone of international trade and has significantly enhanced its offerings this year to better serve participants.

One of the most notable improvements is in the realm of accessibility. The Canton Fair has expanded its transportation options, allowing for seamless access to the venue. The Guangzhou Metro has integrated international bank card payments, facilitating easier travel. A special day pass themed around the Canton Fair has been introduced, making it convenient for attendees to navigate the area. Additionally, the official Canton Fair app now includes a ticket function for user-friendly access.

For participants traveling from afar, new inter-city train routes and enhanced subway lines now connect the fairgrounds directly to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in just 30 minutes, while also linking it to major cities within the Greater Bay Area in about an hour. To further streamline the process for attendees, over 400 self-service kiosks have been placed in airports, train stations, and hotels, allowing buyers to collect their passes instantly upon arrival, thereby ensuring an effortless transition from travel to trade.

Food is an essential aspect of the Canton Fair experience, and this year, the event is serving more than 110,000 daily meals, featuring over 300 dishes that celebrate both local Cantonese cuisine and international flavors. The introduction of the “Canton Fair Music Cuisine Festival” adds a cultural element to the relationship-building aspect of the fair, merging gastronomy with entertainment and facilitating business exchanges.

Recognizing that effective communication is crucial for successful trade, the Canton Fair has set up four translation service points across the venue, equipped with 400 translation devices and staffed by over 100 professional interpreters. This initiative aims to eliminate language barriers that may hinder negotiations and collaborations.

The fair has also responded to common challenges faced in cross-border trading by launching a suite of professional business support services tailored for global buyers and suppliers. These service points are strategically positioned along major exhibition routes and backstopped by 240 service institutes, addressing all segments of the trade cycle, from finance and insurance to logistics, product design, inspection, and consulting. This setup allows for immediate access to expert support without disrupting attendees' trading activities.

In terms of financial services, payment processing has been streamlined, with all merchants now accepting international credit cards, digital RMB, mobile payments, and cash. A new tax refund zone has also been established at the venue, allowing departing guests to apply for refunds directly onsite, while 250 of almost 1,000 eligible shops around the city support instant refunds as well.

With these enhancements, the 138th Canton Fair clearly communicates its commitment to being a dynamic gateway for global business growth and long-term partnerships. To register for the fair, interested parties can visit the official Canton Fair website. With such extensive improvements, this year's fair promises to be a fruitful platform for collaboration and trade expansion.