>>>Related Special:  The 101st Canton Fair

Malaysian companies have snapped up all 60 booths allocated to the country at the 101st China Import and Export Trade Fair (Canton Fair) in Guangzhou as the fair opens its door to foreign exporters for the first time.

Thirty-five Malaysian companies will take up 60 booths to display a wide range of products, according to Chong Tik, a committee member of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, a Malaysian coordinator.

The competition for the booths has been intense as companies were eager to seize the opportunity to showcase their products at the world's second-largest exhibition.

Almost 6,000 domestic buyers have confirmed their attendance at the trade fair.

A Malaysian cocoa and coffee maker showcases its products at an exhibition in Shanghai on March 28. Jing Wei
 

"Given that it's the first time the fair added import element, the response has been very good and we have had to turn down 11 companies because we were given only 60 booths," said Chong.

Malaysia, along with Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and the United States, are the top five sources for the import section of the mainland fair.

Malaysia, Chong said, will be among the most heavily represented at the International Pavilion, which will be open from April 15 to 20. The fair will go on till April 30.

The 35 Malaysian companies will mainly display electronic and electrical appliances, building materials as well as household, food and other consumer goods, said Chong.

The import section of the fair features industrial products and consumer goods. Nine categories of products will be displayed in 629 booths covering 10,400 square meters, including machinery, cars, home appliances, hardware, building materials, daily necessities, ornaments, jewelry and agricultural products.

"The organizing committee will provide international sellers with logistics support," said Xu Bing, vice-secretary-general of the China Import and Export Fair.

The import section at the Guangdong fair is expected to attract some 300 enterprises from 37 countries and regions.

Malaysia, with 35 companies, will be the third-largest source, after Hong Kong and Taiwan Province.

The fair has seen an increasing number of participants from Southeast Asian countries and those from the Middle East, according to organizers.

Editor: Yan