NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China are deepening relations particularly in the area of trade and commerce with the promotion of the China Import and Export Fair.

Widely known as the Canton Fair, the event will take place from October 14 to November 4, 2010 in Guangzhou, China, and will feature a number of Bahamian businesses.

The Hon Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration underscored the importance of strengthening such relations between both countries, at a Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Promotional Conference at the Sheraton Cable Beach resort, Monday, September 6, 2010.

Present were His Excellency, Hu Dingxian, Chinese Ambassador to the Bahamas; Wang Zhi Ping, Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre and Khaalis Rolle, President of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce.

“This fair has a long historical tradition and is the largest trade fair in China. I t also epitomizes the essence of strategic planning, organization and presentation, which we have come to associate with the People’s Republic of China,” Mr Symonette said.

The Canton Fair established in 1957, is hailed at the biggest buyer event in the world. The 108 session of the Fair will be arranged into three phases to accommodate the various enterprises from around the world.

“The Canton Fair represents a first step for Bahamians to tap into the potential large Chinese market. But the fair does not just present an opportunity for vendors to display their wares. It is also an opportunity for participants to forge business links and to network,” Mr Symonette said.

He commended the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce for its part in strengthening Bahamas/China relations and for encouraging the business community to participate in the event.

“The Chamber’s board has also assisted in the compilation of packages for Bahamians to be in concert with what it really means to be in a globalised society. It has also contributed to the creation of the Bahamas-China Friendship Association,” Mr Symonette said.

He also congratulated the Chamber for signing a Trade Co-operation Agreement with the China Foreign Trade Centre, which he said would add another dimension to the growing relations between both countries.

The agreement calls for the strengthening and sustaining of co-operation between Bahamian and Chinese business institutions, through sound and accepted standards that will keep them informed of their domestic advancements for mutual benefits.

It also aims, amongst other things, to facilitate the participation of Bahamian businesses and to increase access and information dissemination between markets.

“This is a welcome development, particularly as China is a global player with the second largest economy in the world, and trade between our two countries is increasing annually with exports from The Bahamas having surpassed $10 million in 2007,” Mr Symonette said.

Captions

Address

The Hon Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration addressing the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Promotional Conference on the China Import and Export Fair at the Sheraton Cable Beach resort, Monday, September 6, 2010. (BIS photo/Kris Ingraham)

Conference

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce held a Promotional Conference on the China Import and Export Fair at the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort, Monday, September 6, 2010. Pictured from left: Khaalis Rolle, president, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce; Excellency, Hu Dingxian, Chinese Ambassador to the Bahamas; the Hon Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration; and Wang Zhi Ping, Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre. (BIS photo/Kris Ingraham)