China's largest trade fair in the Middle East, the Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah (CCFS), continues to attract visitors in large numbers from across the region, especially from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The third CCFS in Sharjah, a city in the heart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), registered a record visitor turnout, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. At the end of the first two days, more than 19,000 visitors from 45 countries, visited the CCFS at Expo Center Sharjah.

Besides the UAE, a large part of the trade visitors at the show came from the GCC states, particularly Saudi Arabia. The GCC includes six states: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The five-day CCFS, which closed yesterday, was sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce, and organized by Chinamex and Expo Center Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

The event hosted more than 600 well-known Chinese enterprises and covered 16,000 square meters.

The large trade visitor turnout at this year's CCFS is being attributed to its focus on machinery, electronics and high-tech products, which attracted great interest from traders in the region.

"The CCFS is an established and highly effective platform for Chinese companies that are keen to establish a foothold in the region," said Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

"The CCFS has so far played a vital role in boosting bilateral relations between the UAE and China," he said.

Trade between the UAE and China totaled US$5.8 billion in 2003 and is expected to reach US$8.7 billion this year. Trade volume between China and the GCC states as a whole almost reached US$17 billion in 2003.

Expansion is expected to be stepped up as China and the GCC are set to negotiate the establishment of a free trade agreement soon, possibly in January.

(China Daily December 9, 2004)