The 136th Canton Fair kicked off on October 15. Mélanie Besancenot arrived at the complex as one of the earliest buyers and participated in an inauguration ceremony for a booth in a vibrant atmosphere.
Mélanie was invited to join an inauguration ceremony at the 136th Canton Fair.
"They are all my friends," said Mélanie. Having participated in the Canton Fair for 15 years, she said the Fair is the place where she transformed from an employee to the CEO of a company called Mechanical Engineering Co., Limited. It is also where she seized opportunities to expand her business scope and successfully addressed the growing demand for a green transition in Africa.
Canton Fair products and services make the impossible possible
Before starting her own company, Mélanie worked for a large group that comprised 87 companies in West Africa. In 2008, she began her Canton Fair tour with her boss, seeking to source a diverse array of construction materials for a major project in Benin.
"We had to construct 100 villas in just 9 months for a summit, which initially seemed impossible. However, it was at the Canton Fair that I managed to check off all the items on our purchase list in a short amount of time. I procured tiles, electrical supplies, furniture, aluminum, glass, bed sheets, towels, and everything else we needed. I shipped them to Africa, and within 9 months, we completed the construction of all 100 villas."
Mélanie at a meeting in Canton Fair.
Mélanie stated that all the projects she undertook in Africa demonstrate the significant impact of the Canton Fair. "I purchased everything from the Canton Fair for the construction of a French bank in Cotonou, the major port city of Benin. The project was completed 10 years ago, and it still looks very nice. Every year, I visit my clients in Africa, show them the bank, and say, 'This was built with everything I bought from the Canton Fair.'"
New Canton Fair section empowers buyers to take lead in green market trends
For the 136th Canton Fair, Mélanie shows great interest in Area D, which was inaugurated at the 133rd Canton Fair and features the latest technology in new energy vehicles, batteries, charging piles, and others. "I'm so excited to visit this area because it showcases new energy products and vehicles, which my African clients are very interested in purchasing."
Mélanie explained that in remote areas of Africa, there are few electrical cables due to the high costs associated with installation. "However, with the affordable new energy products from China, they can now utilize electricity generated by solar panels, hybrids, or wind turbines."
"To sell new energy vehicles in Africa, it is essential to provide charging stations equipped with solar panels. I need to purchase batteries to store electricity, as the continent often lacks a reliable power grid. This way, people can access electricity from the batteries even during cloudy or rainy weather."
Over the past 15 years, Mélanie has gained valuable insights into Chinese culture through her experiences at the Canton Fair. "What matters is not what you wear. Chinese suppliers will gladly welcome you not because you are dressed in a nice suit, but because they know you, you have orders, or you bring practical demands and understand the business."
Reported by Rofel, Jasmine with Southcn.com
Photo | Southcn.com
Editor | Nina, James
