JEDDAH, 13 June 2006 — “It’s fantastic, it’s very impressive.” These were among the remarks made by a large number of Saudi businessmen who visited the China Products Fair 2006, which was opened by Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry Chairman Abdullah Al-Muallami here yesterday.
A delegation of 149 representatives of companies from Shanghai is taking part in the show, which is exclusively organized by the Chinese government and its various departments for showcasing Shanghai-made products. “Exhibits at the show are all impressive and that reflects the rapid progress China is making in the manufacturing sector with a high degree of sophistication,” Al-Muallami told reporters after a tour of the four-day trade show being held at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center. “The show is an eye-opener for me, as it exemplifies the range of products that China is producing including cars,” he said, adding that our bilateral relations are good and strengthening further.
The two-way trade stood at $16 billion in 2005, with the Kingdom’s exports accounting for $12 billion to China, Chinese Consul General Chang Yi told Arab News.
Among the exhibits are car models with their manufacturers looking for local agents to market them in the Kingdom. Also on display are electrical, electronic and IT products, and machinery and equipment.
“This is the second time China is staging its exclusive show in the Kingdom,” the consul general said, adding that two years ago a similar Chinese trade exhibition was held in Riyadh.
The range of exhibits also includes mobile communication equipment, laser technology, electric power generation, agricultural machinery, printing and packaging machinery, measuring and cutting tools, textiles, medical instruments, building materials and decoration items.
A research institute of telecommunications technology and investment developing companies are also showcasing their services.