Not a great deal has been heard from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) regarding the ‘potential participation’ of local businesses in the 135th Canton 2024 Spring Fair scheduled to be staged at the Canton Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China from April 15-19, though it would do both Guyana’s image and the image of the Chamber a power of good if Guyana were to make an appearance, even a modest one at one of the world’s biggest events of its kind. Representatives of the Chamber met on Wednesday March 5 with officials of the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown to discuss the potential participation of Guyanese businesses at the event.
What is billed as a two-phase event will see the April 15-19 first phase offer displays of Electrical Appliances, Consumer Electronics and Information Products, Electronic and Electrical Products, Lighting Equipment, New Energy Resources, New Materials and Chemical Products, Hardware, Tools, Machining Machinery and Equipment, Power and Electrical Equipment, General Machinery and Mechanical Parts, Industrial Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Construction Machinery, Agricultural Machinery, New Energy Vehicles and Smart Mobility, Motorcycles, Bicycles, Vehicle Spare Parts, Vehicles.
The second phase of the event, which will be staged from April 23-27, will parade Building and Decoration Materials, Sanitary and Bathroom Equipment, Furniture, Kitchen and Tableware, Daily-use Ceramics, Household Items, Clocks, Watches and Optical Instrument, Gifts and Premiums, Festival Products, Home Decorations, Art Ceramics, Glass Artware, Gardening Products, Woven, Rattan and Iron Products, Iron and Stone Decorations and Outdoor Spa Facilities. Phase Three, scheduled for May 1-5, will feature Personal Care Appliances, Bathroom Products, Medicines, Health Products and Medical Devices, Pet Products, Maternity and Baby Products, Toys, Children’s Clothing, Men’s and Women’s Clothing, Sportswear and Casual Wear, Underwear, Fur, Leather, Down and Related, Products, Clothing Accessories and Fittings, Home Textiles, Textile Raw Materials and Fabrics, Carpets and Tapestries, Shoes, Office Supplies, Bags and Suitcases, Sports and Tourism Leisure Products, Food, Rural Revitalization.
While a meeting between the Chamber President and Chinese officials was reportedly held, no public disclosure has as yet been made on Guyana’s participation or otherwise in the event. What is officially termed the China Import and Export Fair is one of the largest events of its kind, worldwide. Promotional material on the event says that since 1957 when its first edition took place in Guangzhou China, this biannual fair “has expanded into an enormous platform for both imports and exports from across industries – featuring products from numerous sectors every spring and autumn respectively.” It is co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce. Some Chinese-manufactured goods have become popular in Guyana since they are sold through both locally managed business houses as well as Chinese merchants involved in wholesale and retail trading in Guyana.
