HONG KONG, April 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Global Sources (Nasdaq: GSOL) has opened its two largest-ever spring China Sourcing Fairs for Electronics & Components and Fashion Accessories with over 1,950 booths and 690 booths, respectively. The inaugural China Sourcing Fair: Underwear & Swimwear, Asia's largest industry-focused sourcing trade show also opened today.
(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/200701111135-min.jpg )
(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/200704122107.JPG )
All three shows are set to run through April 15 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong.
Global Sources' chairman and CEO, Merle A. Hinrichs, said: "We have an outstanding line-up of specialized sourcing shows this week -- starting with our longest-running show, Electronics & Components, to the fast-growing Fashion Accessories and our brand new specialized Fair that's already off to a great start -- Underwear & Swimwear.
"Buyers value the opportunity to meet with thousands of export-ready mainland China suppliers under one roof. They can also meet hundreds of quality exhibitors from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia -- all at the ultra-convenient AsiaWorld-Expo."
Underwear & Swimwear Show is Asia's Largest-Ever
The China Sourcing Fair: Underwear & Swimwear is the largest export trade show of its kind in Asia with over 180 booths.
Hinrichs said: "Mainland China's undergarment exports reached nearly US$5 billion in 2006 alone -- up 68 percent from 2005. Mainland China is also the world's largest exporter of swimwear, accounting for approximately 70 percent of global shipments.
"The Underwear & Swimwear show presents an excellent opportunity for international buyers and China suppliers to trade and profit from these fast-growing export sectors."
VIPs Highlight the Importance of the Fairs to Asia's Exports
Several VIPs attended the opening ceremonies, highlighting the significance of the Fairs to the Asia's exports and Hong Kong's exhibition industry.
Among the guests of honor at the event were Joseph W.P. Wong, Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology and Nihat Arkan, senior vice president of global customer management and services for Agentrics, an organization representing retailers with over $1 trillion in annual sales.
Jackie Chan, international action film star, also participated in the opening of the Fairs and the launch of Global Sources Security Products magazine.
'Agentrics Sourcing World: Asia 2007' Co-located with China Sourcing Fairs
Agentrics is co-locating its first-ever customer conference in Asia with the China Sourcing Fairs.
Buyers attending Agentrics Sourcing World: Asia 2007, including representatives from Carrefour, El Corte Ingles, Kingfisher and Metro are scheduled to meet with China Sourcing Fair exhibitors.
Specialized Product Pavilions to Help Buyers Source More Efficiently
Each Fair features product pavilions to help buyers find and compare products and suppliers more easily. Pavilions for each show are:
-- Electronics & Components
Consumer Electronics; Digital Entertainment; In-car Electronics;
Computers & Networking; Telecom & Accessories; WiFi & VoIP Products;
GPS Products; Health & Personal Care Electronics; Security & Safety;
Electronic Components; Opto-electronics; and Power Supplies.
-- Fashion Accessories
Casual & Fashion Handbags; Evening Bags; Hats & Caps; Fashion Belts;
Fashion Jewelry; Hair Accessories; Ties, Scarves & Shawls;
Casual & Fashion Footwear; Umbrellas; Gloves & Mittens; Sunglasses;
Luggage; and Hosiery.
-- Underwear & Swimwear
Underwear; Swimwear & Accessories; Sleepwear; and Fabric, Lace &
Trimmings.
Extra Services to Create Business Opportunities for Buyers and Suppliers
Global Sources executive director, Sarah Benecke, said: "The Fairs offer several unique services, including Private Buyer Meetings, Virtual Buyer Meetings and Vendor Summits.
"These events put some of the world's largest buyers in touch with pre-selected suppliers, helping both maximize opportunities in a very time-efficient manner.
"The Fairs also feature government-sponsored pavilions from Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines and many of mainland China's emerging sourcing hubs, giving buyers a wider range of sourcing options."
The full range of value-added buyer and supplier services at the China Sourcing Fairs include:
-- Private Buyer Meetings create exclusive opportunities for pre-selected
exhibitors to meet face-to-face with some of the world's top buyers.
These include RadioShack, the third-largest electronics chain in the US;
Li & Fung, Asia's largest sourcing organization; and Otto, the world's
largest mail-order retailer.
-- Virtual Buyer Meetings enable buyers who can't make it to the Fairs to
meet exhibitors through an on-site videoconferencing system.
-- Vendor Summits save buyers' time allowing them to introduce their
companies and outline sourcing requirements to up to 50 pre-selected
exhibitors in a private conference room.
-- Brand Pavilions feature exhibitors committed to building their own B2C
and B2B brands through product innovation and quality.
-- New Product Galleries showcase the latest, most innovative products at
the show.
-- Daily Fashion Parades in Halls 1 and 2 with models highlighting the
latest designs on exhibit at the Fashion Accessories and Underwear &
Swimwear Fairs.
-- Color Trends Forum -- Pantone, the world's leading color authority, is
set to discuss color trends for Summer 2008
-- Free Conference Programs feature international experts speaking on
import/export negotiating techniques, intellectual property rights
issues, customs regulations and product trends.
-- Special Buyers' Lounges are located in Halls 10 and 11 with free
Internet access, refreshments and sourcing information. The VIP
Buyers' Lounge is located in Hall 5.
China Sourcing Fairs Show Dates and Times
Opening times for the China Sourcing Fairs: Electronics & Components, Fashion Accessories and Underwear & Swimwear are:
-- April 12, 13 and 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
-- April 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Easy Access to AsiaWorld-Expo by Airport Express Train, Free Shuttle Buses
AsiaWorld-Expo is one minute from Hong Kong Airport and 28 minutes from downtown via the Airport Express Train.
Global Sources provides free shuttle bus service to and from the venue. Pick-up points include Causeway Bay's Excelsior Hotel, Wanchai Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui (Middle Road), Tsim Sha Tsui East (Regal Kowloon Hotel) and Tung Chung MTR Station (Exit A). Timetable and bus stop details are available at http://www.chinasourcingfair.com . The venue is also easily accessible by public bus, taxi and private car.
Buyers planning to visit the Fairs can find more information, including complete transportation options, at http://www.chinasourcingfair.com .
Specialized Global Sources Trade Magazines, Websites and China Sourcing Fairs
The China Sourcing Fairs are an important part of Global Sources' sourcing and product information services, which include Global Sources trade magazines, Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com ) and Global Sources Direct ( http://www.globalsourcesdirect.com ). Further information about Global Sources is available at http://www.corporate.globalsources.com .
About Global Sources
Global Sources is a leading business-to-business (B2B) media company and a primary facilitator of two-way trade with Greater China. The core business is facilitating trade from Greater China to the world, using a wide range of English-language media. The other key business segment facilitates trade from the world to Greater China using Chinese-language media.
The company provides sourcing information to volume buyers and integrated marketing services to suppliers. It helps a community of over 560,000 active buyers source more profitably from complex overseas supply markets. With the goal of providing the most effective ways possible to advertise, market and sell, Global Sources enables suppliers to sell to hard-to-reach buyers in 230 countries.
The company offers the most extensive range of media and export marketing services in the industries it serves. It delivers information on 1.8 million products and more than 150,000 suppliers annually through 13 online marketplaces, 11 monthly magazines, over 100 sourcing research reports and nine specialized trade shows which run 22 times a years across seven cities. Suppliers receive more than 10 million sales leads annually from buyers through Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com ) alone.
Global Sources has been facilitating global trade for 36 years. In mainland China it has over 1,600 team members in 44 locations, and a community of over 1 million registered online users and magazine readers for
Chinese-language media.
Global Sources Press Contact in Asia:
Camellia So
Tel: +852-2555-5021
Email: cso@globalsources.com
Global Sources Investor Contact in Asia:
Eddie Heng
Tel: +65-6547-2850
Email: eheng@globalsources.com
Global Sources Press Contact in U.S.:
James W.W. Strachan
Tel: +1-602-978-7504
Email: strachan@globalsources.com
Global Sources Investor Contact in U.S.:
Moriah Shilton & Cathy Mattison
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
Tel: +1-415-433-3777
Email: cmattison@lhai.com
