GuangzhouApril 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is being held in Guangzhou, running until May 5. Amid the impact of the Middle East situation, the Canton Fair is actively responding by continuously optimizing services and deepening cooperation to facilitate precise matchmaking between Middle Eastern buyers and Chinese manufacturers.
I. Strong Willingness of Middle Eastern Buyers to Attend
At the press conference for the 139th Canton Fair, Zhu Yong, Director of the China Foreign Trade Centre, responded to inquiries about the attendance of Middle Eastern buyers, noting that recent global exhibitions have seen fluctuations in Middle Eastern visitor numbers, “However, their willingness to attend the Canton Fair remains strong.”
At the first phase venue, Middle Eastern buyers were still actively participating. An Egyptian buyer flew from Cairo to Beijing, then transferred to Guangzhou, taking approximately 13 hours in total, underscoring the strong demand for on-site procurement.
II. Tailored Services for Middle Eastern Buyers
For Middle Eastern buyers unable to attend in person, the Canton Fair has introduced a dedicated service package, including online supply-demand matchmaking, live-streamed exhibition tours on overseas social media platforms, and optimized services for Middle Eastern companies based in China.
The Canton Fair has invited multiple Middle Eastern bloggers and streamers to the event to conduct live-streamed exhibition tours and supply-demand matching activities, providing Middle Eastern buyers with a convenient and smooth live-streaming procurement experience. The first-phase home appliances live-streaming session, specifically targeting the Middle East, attracted a large number of overseas viewers and received unanimous praise from Middle Eastern buyers.
III. Exhibitors Actively Respond to Regional Pressures
Exhibitors are actively addressing the multiple pressures brought by geopolitical conflicts, facing challenges such as unstable delivery, disrupted logistics, and shortages of raw materials. Some companies rely on diversified production networks to ensure on-time delivery, while others are exploring alternatives for key materials.
Some companies also noted that demand for energy-efficient products in the Middle East market has risen, leading them to showcase their latest energy-saving technology upgrades at this edition of the fair. Additionally, a motorcycle company discussed strategies with Middle Eastern buyers to cope with cost changes, while discovering that electric motorcycles represent a new business growth opportunity.
In the face of the current complex and increasingly uncertain global trade environment, the Canton Fair remains steadfast in its role as a bridge, helping domestic and international buyers build stable and long-lasting economic and trade partnerships that can withstand various cycles of turbulence.
For buyer pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16