Africa's largest China-products exhibitions in Johannesburg support growth in China-Africa trade

JOHANNESBURG, November 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Sources (NASDAQ: GSOL) today opened its third annual China Sourcing Fairs in Johannesburg. The Fairs are the largest exhibitions of their kind in Africa to feature manufacturers of China-made consumer goods. Showcasing over 800 exhibitor booths, the co-located exhibitions are being held from Nov. 28 to 30, 2012, at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Gallagher Estate, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

"Africa's trade with China continues to expand. China-made consumer goods are playing an increasing larger role in African retail markets -- providing consumers with more choices for quality products," said Tommy Wong, President of Global Sources Exhibitions. "Our Fairs in Johannesburg are an ideal platform for business people in South Africa and throughout continental Africa to meet directly with manufacturers and find the right products for their home markets."

In the first five months of 2012, trade between China and Africa grew by 22 percent year-on-year, reaching nearly US$80.5 billion, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. Exports from China to Africa increased by 17.5 percent to reach US$30.9 billion in that same period.

The co-located events feature manufacturers of consumer electronics, solar and energy-saving products, fashion accessories, garments and textiles, baby and children's products, gifts and premiums, home products, and hardware and building materials.

The China Sourcing Fairs in Johannesburg are supported by important industry associations, including the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), the Southern African Alternative Energy Association (SAAEA), and the Corporate Gifts Association of Southern Africa (CGASA).

Joining Wong to officially open the China Sourcing Fairs were:

• Li Jiangning, Consul General, Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Johannesburg
• Rong Yansong, Economic & Commercial Counsellor, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of South Africa
• Fang Lixu, Executive Vice-mayor, Chaozhou Municipal People's Government
• Guo Kuilong, Director -- Exhibition Department, China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products
• Sun Jiwa, Deputy Division-Director, Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province

The China Sourcing Fairs are exclusively for importers, traders, and other volume buyers who purchase consumer products for resale to markets throughout Africa. Last year, over 7,000 qualified buyers attended the event, a 20 percent increase compared to the inaugural events.

More details about the China Sourcing Fairs in South Africa are available at http://www.chinasourcingfair.com/southafrica.

Global Sources

Global Sources is a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China.

The core business facilitates trade between Asia and the world using English-language media such as online marketplaces (http://www.globalsources.com), print and digital magazines, sourcing research reports, private sourcing events, trade shows, and online sourcing fairs.

Over 1.18 million international buyers, including 90 of the world's top 100 retailers, use these services to obtain product and company information to help them source more profitably from overseas supply markets. These services also provide suppliers with integrated marketing solutions to build corporate image, generate sales leads and win orders from buyers in more than 240 countries and territories.

Global Sources' other businesses provides Chinese-language media to companies selling to and within Greater China. These services include online web sites, print and digital magazines, seminars and trade shows. In mainland China, Global Sources has a network of more than 30 office locations and a community of over 4 million registered online users and magazine readers of its Chinese-language media.

Now in its fifth decade, Global Sources has been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2000.