REGIONAL> Development
Guzhen to light up with trade fair
By Xiao Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-09-26 07:58

 Guzhen to light up with trade fair

Sixty percent of the lighting products sold in China are made in Guzhen, one of the top-four manufacturing centers in the sector worldwide.

The upcoming 7th China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair has received a major upgrade with a special hall for big brands.

The fair will be held in the town of Guzhen, Zhongshan, Guangdong province, between October 18 and 21.

Top brands in 18 categories of lighting products, big brands will be displayed in a special 2,800 sq m hall.

According to the organizers, this year's lighting fair sprawls over 65,000 sq m, compared with 40,000 sq m last year. By September 2, 465 companies had signed up for a space, with about 51 percent from Guzhen and 16 percent from other parts of Zhongshan.

More exhibitors have chosen to stylishly decorate their booths to appeal to visitors instead of using standard booths.

Increased numbers of overseas lighting publications will also be present at the fair.

Organizers have upgraded the website for the fair to further facilitate online registration and have improved the environment for fair venue management.

They also formed closer ties with logistics companies to offer better transportation and storage services for exhibitors, especially those from out of the town.

 Guzhen to light up with trade fair

Foreign buyers visit last year's lighting fair.

Agreements have been reached with a number of hotels for better accommodations for participants to the fair.

Shuttle bus services will be provided for those traveling between the fair and the China Import and Export Fair to be held simultaneously in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province.

The China Association of Lighting Industry will also hold an executive meeting at the lighting fair.

Last year, the fair attracted 515 exhibitors from home and abroad along with 69,952 buyers from 124 countries and regions. A total of 6,628 buyers were from overseas.

One of the world's four-largest lighting manufacturing centers and markets, Guzhen turns out about 60 percent of the lighting products sold in China.

The town generated more than 15 billion yuan in output value from the industry last year, which accounted for 75 percent of the town's economy.

More than 70,000 people now work at 6,000 lighting companies in Guzhen. The lighting products made in the town are exported to 130 countries and regions.