The 133rd China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, is in full swing. During a visit to the fair, reporters from the Yangcheng Evening News found that many companies are meeting up with old clients. Several exhibitors expressed their hope to use this year's Canton Fair to reconnect with old friends, make new acquaintances, and expand their business opportunities.

Old friends reunite in Guangzhou

According to Zeng Haiyan, the foreign trade manager of Zhongshan Kangli Jie Sanitary Ware Technology Co., Ltd., the first fully restored offline exhibition in three years at the Canton Fair allowed them to meet many "old friends" they had not seen in years.

"We already met an old friend from India who not only placed an on-site order for $50,000 but also added another $150,000 order after touring the exhibition. These loyal customers have high recognition and loyalty to our brand," Zeng said. Apart from Indian buyers, they have also arranged to meet "old friends" from Russia, Poland, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and other countries at this year's Canton Fair.

Old clients from all round the world

A dedicated purchaser from Israel made the long journey to the DEERMA booth at the Canton Fair. This buyer was an old friend of Zhang Shuxin, the overseas sales manager of the company. "He has decided to become DEERMA's distributor in Israel, and is currently helping our products to obtain safety specifications and safety certification in the local market," Zhang Shuxin explained.

The presence of these old Canton Fair-goers highlights their deep connection to the trade fair and their confidence in China's manufacturing and market potential. According to Mai Cuiyan, a Senior Manager of the China Foreign Trade Centre, as of April 16th, the Canton Fair has already received 660,000 visitors, with overseas buyers from over 200 countries and regions. In total, 98 foreign delegations from 41 countries and regions have confirmed their attendance, the largest foreign delegation size in the fair's history.

Booming foreign trade

Amidst the Canton Fair, several businesses met up with their "old friends", saying that thanks to the network they built up from previous Canton Fairs, even with the impact of the pandemic over the past three years, they have achieved steady growth of more than double digits each year.

"Although my company is a small and medium-sized enterprise, its products represent 'Made in China' in the global market," said Zeng Haiyan, who cited an Indian purchaser at this year's event. This buyer chose KONIG products over those from other top international brands in their local market, because he believed that KONIG's products were superior in terms of both price and service, and this led to long-term cooperation between the two.

"Close communication and mutual trust with our partners are essential for Chinese brands to succeed in foreign markets," emphasized Zhang Shuxin. Services are a key factor in the success of Chinese brands going global. For instance, companies like DEERMA will add products to meet their partners' needs and work with them to maintain the pricing system that protects their interests.

线下广交会再逢老友
中国企业吹响外贸冲锋号

第133届中国进出口商品交易会（以下简称“广交会”）正在如火如荼地进行中。羊城晚报记者走访广交会时发现，在本届广交会上，不少企业都与老客户有个“约会”。不少参展企业表示，希望借助今年的广交会，相约旧友、结识新友，拓展新的商机。

春日花城再逢“老友”

中山市康丽洁卫浴科技有限公司外贸负责人曾海燕告诉记者，恰逢三年来广交会首次全面恢复线下办展，他们约定了不少数年未见的“老友”到展会相聚。

“有一位来自印度的老朋友已经和我们成功‘面基’。他不仅现场下单了5万美金的订单，还在逛完展会后又加单到了15万美金。这些老客户对我们品牌的认可度与忠诚度都非常高。”曾海燕表示，除了印度采购商外，他们还约定了来自俄罗斯、波兰、乌兹别克斯坦、哈萨克斯坦、巴基斯坦等国家的“老友”在本届广交会上相见。

“老广交”不远万里赴约

广东德尔玛科技股份有限公司的展位迎来了一位来自以色列的采购商，这位采购商是该公司海外销售经理张淑欣的老朋友。张淑欣介绍：“他已经决定成为德尔玛在以色列的经销商，目前帮助德尔玛的产品在以色列当地进行安全规范和安全标准认证。”

“‘老广交们’不远万里赶赴广交会之约，既体现了对广交会深厚的情怀，更凸显了他们对中国制造、中国市场的信心和期待。”中国对外贸易中心对外联络部国际推广事务高级经理麦翠妍表示，截至4月16日，广交会进馆人次达到66万，境外采购商覆盖200多个国家和地区，共有41个国家和地区的98个境外重要的代表团确认到会，为历届外事接待团组最多。

中国制造吹响外贸冲锋号

这些在广交会相约“老友”的企业表示，即便过去三年受到疫情的影响，借助此前在广交会积攒的人脉，他们仍取得了每年两位数以上的稳健增长。

“虽然我们是一家中小企业，但是产品出海代表的却是‘中国制造’。”据曾海燕介绍，以本次下单的印度采购商为例，他在本地市场将康丽洁的产品与国外一线品牌进行竞争。在同等质量前提下，该采购商坚信康丽洁无论在价格还是服务方面都领先于其他品牌，因此双方才能达成长久的合作。

“中国品牌要实现成功出海，与合作伙伴密切沟通、相互信任是非常重要的。”张淑欣强调，服务是中国品牌出海的关键之一，如德尔玛会根据合作伙伴的需求补充相关的产品，更会与合作伙伴一起维护产品的定价体系，保障合作伙伴的利益。

文丨羊城晚报全媒体记者 沈钊 孙绮曼
图丨曾育文 梁喻
翻译丨刘佳慧