Canton Fair aids poverty alleviation efforts in less-developed areas

Booths set up by companies from poverty-stricken areas in China have been exempted a total of 67 million yuan ($10 million) for their exhibition fees at the Canton Fair, and over $1 billion worth of goods from these less developed areas have been sold through previous Canton Fairs.

The statistics were given by Li Jinqi, deputy director and secretary general of the 125th Canton Fair, during a recent interview with Guangzhou Daily.

A foreign buyer browses at a booth during the third phase of the 125th Canton Fair. [Photo/Xinhua]

In addition to free exhibition booths and pavilions, Canton Fair also provides these enterprises with promotion and translation services, helping them to expand their markets and therefore getting more people from less developed areas out of poverty.

On May 1, the third phase of the 125th Canton Fair kicked off, running until May 5. It highlights textiles and clothing, luggage, culture and sports, food, medical supplies, and medical health products.

On the first day of phase three, a special promotion event for distinctive products from poverty-stricken areas was held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, the venue of the 125th Canton Fair, with the participation of 58 companies showcasing tea, food, shoes and clothing, household items, daily necessities, medical care, as well as sports and leisure products.

The highlighted goods included tea from Liupanshui of Guizhou province in southwest China, which a French purchaser bought two tons of, worth 8 million yuan, during the fair and embroidery works by the local Miao ethnic group in the city of Chongqing.