The 137th Canton Fair Opens in Guangzhou: Zimbabwe...

The 137th Canton Fair Opens in Guangzhou: Zimbabwean Businesses Encouraged to Explore Opportunities

Patience Muchemwa

Senior Reporter

The 137th China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, officially opened its doors in Guangzhou this month, marking another milestone in international trade cooperation. The event, which runs in three phases until May 5th, occupies an impressive 1.55 million square meters, making it one of the largest trade exhibitions in the world.

Dubbed “China’s No. 1 Fair”, the Canton Fair is a cornerstone of the country’s trade landscape, connecting global buyers with top-tier Chinese suppliers across a wide range of industries—from electronics and machinery to consumer goods and textiles.

At the previous session in 2024, the fair drew a staggering 253,000 foreign buyers from across the globe. Among them were approximately 500 buyers from Zimbabwe, a promising signal of growing trade ties between the two countries.

“We see the Canton Fair as an unmatched platform for sourcing high-quality products at competitive prices,” said Mr. Tawanda Moyo, a Zimbabwean business delegate who attended last year’s event. “It offers not only exposure to the latest innovations, but also the opportunity to build long-term partnerships with reliable Chinese suppliers.”

Officials at the fair have expressed enthusiasm about expanding participation from African nations, especially Zimbabwe. A representative of the Canton Fair’s organizing committee commented: “We welcome more Zimbabwean entrepreneurs and trade delegations to join us. The Fair is a gateway to global markets, and we believe it holds great potential for mutual growth.”

This year’s event comes at a time of accelerating trade engagement between China and Africa. Zimbabwe, in particular, has been seeking to diversify its import sources and strengthen manufacturing capabilities through strategic partnerships.

Miss Chen Lin, a Chinese electronics manufacturer exhibiting at the fair, noted: “We’ve already worked with buyers from Zimbabwe and are eager to expand our cooperation. Their market is vibrant and holds great promise.”

The Canton Fair is held at the China Import and Export Complex in Guangzhou and is segmented into three phases, each showcasing different product categories. With digital platforms supplementing the in-person exhibition, participants can now explore opportunities both on-site and online.

For Zimbabwean businesses looking to scale and innovate, this fair represents a unique chance to access global supply chains and emerging technologies. As the 137th edition unfolds, the message is clear: the Canton Fair is open, and the world—including Zimbabwe—is invited.