Mumbai: The Chinese Export Commodities Fair (CECF), also known as Canton Fair, is being held in two phases from 15-20 October and 25-30 October 2002. It has facilities where over 8,000 exhibitors can display their products from various sectors such as agriculture, electronics, consumer durables, textiles, machinery tools, gifts, houseware and other articles.

The fair attracts over 1,25,000 visitors from over 185 countries, said CECF vice-chairman and secretary general Hu Chusheng while addressing a meeting of All India Association of Industries (AIAI).

Chusheng said that in 1998, 400 Indian visitors attended the fair and last year it attracted more than 2,400 Indian visitors. “The fair is regularly being held biannually since last 46 years. It offers good prospects for business in both the countries. I am looking forward to large Indian participation in this year’s fair. The fair also conducts buyer-seller meets and also interaction with local government for promoting bilateral trade and investment opportunities.”

While welcoming the delegation, AIAI president Vijay G Kalantri said his organisation proposed to lead a 15-member delegation to the fair “as there are good opportunities for promoting trade between the two countries, which is of course increasing day by day in quantity and volume.”

AIAI also asked the Canton fair authorities to hold a similar fair in India jointly with AIAI, “This proposal is under consideration,” Kalantri said.

Zhao Qingmao, commercial consul, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Mumbai, was present on the occasion