STORY: Promotion seminar on Canton Fair attracts Ethiopian producers, business leaders
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 27, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 28, 2025
LENGTH: 00:02:46
LOCATION: Addis Ababa
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the event
2. various of the Canton Fair
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KENENISA LEMI, Secretary general of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA)
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): XUE WEI, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia

STORYLINE:

A promotional seminar on the 137th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair which has been held biannually in Guangzhou, China, since 1957, took place Thursday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital.
   
The seminar brought together senior Ethiopian government officials, representatives from the Ethiopian and Chinese business communities, a Chinese delegation and Chinese diplomats in Ethiopia. Participants said the Canton Fair plays a vital role in fostering economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and beyond.
   
Addressing the seminar, Kenenisa Lemi, secretary general of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA), said the Canton Fair is a longstanding cornerstone of global trade development. He reiterated the ECCSA's "readiness and strong dedication" to facilitating the participation of Ethiopian producers and import-export businesses at the upcoming trade fair.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KENENISA LEMI, Secretary general of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA)
"At the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA), we are dedicated to advancing Ethiopia's trade and investment landscape. Our participation in the 137th Canton Fair is not just a representation of our business communities, but also a proactive step towards addressing the private sector's demands for import and export products to and from China.
At ECCSA, we are committed to empowering Ethiopian enterprises to actively engage in global markets such as the Canton Fair. Through this collaboration, we aim to create a conducive environment where Ethiopian products and services gain visibility, competitiveness, and sustained market presence in China. The fair presents a golden opportunity for Ethiopian businesses to explore new markets, establish valuable partnerships, and enhance trade cooperation."

The 137th edition of the Canton Fair is scheduled from April 15 to May 5 in Guangzhou, with exhibition venues spanning 1.55 million square meters. The trade fair provides global buyers with expanded market opportunities and partnership prospects through a comprehensive one-stop trading platform, showcasing a wide range of high-quality products at competitive prices, according to the organizers.

During the seminar, representatives from the China Foreign Trade Center provided the Ethiopian delegation with an overview of the Canton Fair and its potential to unlock broader market access in China and globally for Ethiopian producers and import-export businesses. They highlighted the unique market and partnership opportunities at the upcoming event, building on the success of the 136th edition, which attracted overseas buyers from 224 countries and regions, with a record-high 253,000 onsite participants and 450,000 online attendees.
   
Xue Wei, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said that over the years, the Canton Fair has played a multifaceted role in promoting China's economic and trade cooperation with Ethiopia and the broader African continent. The trade fair serves as a crucial platform for building connections, facilitating trade, strengthening cultural exchanges, enhancing trust, improving risk management and driving industrial development.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): XUE WEI, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia
"As Ethiopia's all-weather strategic partner, China has been the largest trading partner and source of foreign direct investment for many years.
Over the years, the Canton Fair has played a multifaceted role in promoting economic and trading cooperation between China and Africa. It has served as a platform for building connections, facilitating trade, strengthening cultural exchanges, enhancing trust, improving risk prevention, and driving industrial development. All these efforts have significantly propelled the in-depth development of economic and trade relations between China and Africa."   

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Addis Ababa.
(XHTV)