Featuring 81 foreign delegations from 17 countries and regions, the Third China (Shenzhen) Consumer Goods Procurement Fair opens Monday (Nov. 8).

"The number of participants in this fair is much larger than last year," said Hua Tao, head of Shenzhen Retail Industry Association and also executive director general of this fair. He said the Shenzhen fair had become better known throughout the world.

The new participants include Dollar-General, the 87th largest retail business in the United States, Brivogue International of Singapore, Cyclo-Tech. Co. from Canada and Gor Design, also from the United States.

"We expect more than 5,000 overseas buyers for this fair, double the number of the last fair," Hua said.

The exhibition area covers 40,000 square meters with 488 exhibitors and 2,000 booths sectioned off into Famous Brand Names, Time-Honored Stores and Business Franchise.

With supply chains considered, an area for intermediary services has been included. This area includes logistics, insurance, customs service, quality supervision and material examination.

The Business Franchise section will be a prelude to next year's China (Shenzhen) Business Franchise Expo.

This year's fair will feature several forums such as the U.N. Purchase Presentation, B & Q Suppliers Congress and Metro Suppliers Congress.

Hua said he expected more than 6,000 suppliers to attend the fair.

The four-day fair will be conducted in two sessions. The first two days will be for industry, with visitors needing to show only their business cards for admission. The last two days will be for the general public with admission to cost 50 yuan (US$6).

Hua said the fair would coincide with the sixth Chainstore Expo China 2004, a renowned retail industry exhibition.

Editor: Olivia