Thousands of professional buyers are expected to join Global Sources’ (NASDAQ: GSOL) fifth annual China Sourcing Fair in Johannesburg today. Featuring the latest high-quality products from Greater China and other Asian countries, the Fair offers African importers the chance to deal face-to-face with suppliers who are highly motivated to do business in the region.
Running through November 15 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, the Fair willfeature electronics, fashion accessories, garments and textiles, gifts and premiums, hardware and building materials and home products across 600 booths.
The event attracted more than 8,500 buyers last year. This year, registrations for the 
Fair grew 22 per cent. “With thesurge we have experienced in pre-registrations for the show, we are optimistic for a record turnout of buyers this year,” Mr. Tommy Wong, President of Global Sources Exhibitions, said. “China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for five consecutive years, with business growing to US$210 billion in 2013, up from US$166 billion in 2011.”
Mr. Wong also pointed out that sustained demand in Africa for quality goods from China is fueled by Africa’s expanding middle class. “Global Sources is perfectly positioned to facilitate this accelerating trade relationship, not only with this annual sourcing event held in Africa’s most economically advanced country, but also with our online suite of buyer-supplier services.”
A key complimentary service offered by Global Sources at the Fair is an informative conference programme titled “How to Source from China” which provides insights and advice on importing from China. There will be a presentation from the West Rand Chamber of Commerce this year on how to better understand and successfully navigate local South African government regulations on importing.
About Global Sources
Global Sources is a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China.
The core business facilitates trade between Asia and the world using English-language media such as online marketplaces (GlobalSources.com), print and digital magazines, sourcing research reports, private sourcing events, and trade shows.
More than one million international buyers, including 95 of the world’s top 100 retailers, use these services to obtain product and company information to help them source more profitably from overseas supply markets. These services also provide suppliers with integrated marketing solutions to build corporate image, generate sales leads and win orders from buyers in more than 240 countries and territories.
Global Sources’ other businesses provide Chinese-language media to companies selling to and within Greater China. These services include online web sites, print and digital magazines, seminars and trade shows. In mainland China, Global Sources has a network of more than 30 office locations and a community of more than 5 million registered online users and magazine readers of its Chinese-language media.
Now in its fifth decade, Global Sources has been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2000.