On September 18, to bolster foreign trade enterprises amid growing global economic challenges, the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) introduced stronger supportive policies for its upcoming 138th session, scheduled to be held from October 15 to November 4, in three phases. These measures build on the success of previous supportive efforts and reaffirm the event's role as a vital national platform for trade promotion.
Earlier this year, the 137th Canton Fair reduced booth fees by 50%, a move widely praised by participants. Against a complex global trade backdrop, China's foreign trade has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with goods exports growing by 6.9% year-on-year from January to August this year.
To further assist exporters in navigating uncertainties and expanding internationally through both online and offline channels, the 138th Canton Fair will extend the 50% reduction in booth fees for physical exhibitions. Additionally, full exemptions will be applied to key zones, including the rural revitalization exhibition area.
For the digital exhibition platform, paid exhibitors will receive a six-month free extension of their service packages, while new exhibitors will be offered complimentary basic digital packages for the same duration. These initiatives are expected to benefit over 31,000 exporting companies, more than 5,000 of which will receive support from the fair for the first time. Detailed booth fee standards have been published on the official Canton Fair website.
The fair is also enhancing its global outreach, with 227 international partnership institutions across 110 countries and regions helping to attract a diverse range of buyers.
Further improvements to the exhibition experience include optimized mobile app features, enhanced venue navigation, and streamlined QR-code-based registration processes, designed to empower exporters in securing orders and effectively exploring new markets.