By RACHNA LAL
The China Foreign Trade Centre working group yesterday met with officials from Investment Fiji and private sector representatives to promote the upcoming 115th Canton Fair in China.
Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre (Group), Wang Yanhua, who led the group, has urged Fijian businesses to participate this year.
He said, for example, Fijian businesses could buy goods such as machinery and electronics; and Fijian businesses could sell goods such as mineral water, processed seafood and fruits.
“Canton Fair provides a platform to importers and exporters to sell and promote products,” he said.
“I think a lot of Chinese products are very popular here in Fiji – example a lot of machinery products and electrical products.
“We are here to encourage more Fijian companies and buyers to participate so they can buy high quality products from the Canton Fair at low prices.
“You can find all kinds of products at the fair and these products will satisfy the needs of your production so there will be very wide choices.”
Overcoming trade deficits
Mr Wang acknowledged a trade deficit between Fiji and China where Fiji’s imports from China is higher than exports.
He, therefore suggested, that if Fijian companies have quality products to offer the Chinese market, there will be an international booth.
“So if Fijian companies would like to do a deal with Chinese suppliers, we can assure of quality because during this fair, we ensure the quality is of high standards and only best,” he said.
Investment Fiji chief executive, Ravuni Uluilakeba, agreed this would be a good time to showcase Fijian Made products.
He said the focus of Fijian businesses who took part in the fair the past year was more towards imports.
“I think we should focus on both ways now – on imports and exports of Fijian made products,” Mr Uluilakeba said.
Demand for Fijian products
A legitimate question put forward by one representative of the private sector was with China’s market already so extensive and flooded with goods, which Fijians products would there be demand for?
To this, Mr Wang said there would be demand for mineral water from Fiji, processed seafood as well as fruits etc.
“Consumers do generally prefer natural products and there is a lot of demand globally for these,” he said.
