Ethiopian businesses are eager to leverage the upcoming Canton Fair (137th China Import and Export Fair) to expand their reach in the Chinese and global markets. The fair, running April 15th to May 5th in Guangzhou, presents a significant opportunity for Ethiopian producers, particularly in key export sectors like coffee and agricultural products.
China is already Ethiopia's largest trading partner, importing coffee, oilseeds, and leather goods, while supplying Ethiopia with manufactured goods. The Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) views the Canton Fair as crucial for forging business-to-business links and increasing market share.
Companies like Yehager Import-Export, with 15 years of Canton Fair experience, attest to the fair's effectiveness in expanding market access. A recent Addis Ababa seminar, featuring Chinese Foreign Trade Center representatives, further highlighted the fair's potential, building on the previous edition's record-breaking attendance of over 700,000 participants. According to Xinhua, the event promises to connect Ethiopian businesses with manufacturers and buyers from across the globe.