(Yicai) April 22 -- This year’s first round of the bi-annual Canton Fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair, saw a 23.2 percent jump in foreign procurement agents from the same phase at the last expo in October 2023, all eager to get their hands on the latest cutting-edge products coming onto the market, according to the latest data.

More than 125,000 buyers from 212 countries and regions attended the first phase of the trade show, which is now in its 135th year. Just over 68 percent of these came from countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, 23 percent were members of the world’s largest trade pact, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and 18.1 percent were from Europe and the US.

The first phase, which ended April 19, had advanced manufacturing as its theme. Smart bionic hands, the latest medical equipment, smart televisions, cleaning robots, new energy vehicles, and other popular products were on display. There was also an online section. More than 2.5 million exhibits were uploaded to the platform attracting 230,000 visits.

Turkish home appliance firm Simfer, South Africa-based kitchen appliance supplier Ferre and Indonesian tools and hardware firm Krisbow were among the 197 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions participating.

“Stonkam is adjusting its business according to its own circumstances and the global situation,” Shi Ximin, general manager of the Chinese car camera maker, told Yicai. “Our clients are mostly based in Europe and the US but we are also developing the Southeast Asian market given that economic growth in the region is not bad.”

More than 7.3 million visitors thronged the first round of the fair in Guangzhou, southern Guangdong province, which is jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong provincial government and is the country’s grandest and oldest trade expo. The bi-annual event is held in the spring and autumn each year.

The second round will take place between April 23 and April 27, and will be comprised of three sections, namely household goods, gifts and decorations, as well as construction materialsand furniture. It is set to have 9,820 exhibitions, including 220 from 30 countries for the import exhibition.

Editors: Liao Shumin, Kim Taylor