The 115th Canton Fair "Driving Design-led Trade To New Levels"

GUANGZHOU, China, April 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Spaniard Juan Sabata knows all about the Canton Fair's capacity for generating new business. Attending China's most prestigious trade event for the first time last year, the head of Spanish design firm Anima was run off his feet taking orders from Chinese companies to create new products.

"We're very happy," said Sabata, taking a quick drink break after accepting an order to design a new vacuum cleaner for a company in Suzhou. "Very busy, but happy. Attending this Canton Fair has meant crazy days for new business."

From "Made in China" to "Created in China", today the Chinese economy is rapidly moving up the value chain. Kicking off in the city of Guangzhou on April 15, the 115^th installment of the Canton Fair will accelerate this transformation.

Excellence in product design has become one of the hallmarks of the Fair. By holding its increasingly successful range of "Design Promotes Trade" events, it is now cementing its position as one of Asia's leading forums for promoting design-led trade.

Hosting the usual Canton Fair Product Design and Trade Promotion Center (PDC) and Canton Fair (CF) Awards, the 115^th Canton Fair will also introduce the "Matchmaking Event for China Top 10 Industrial Design Firms and Canton Fair Exhibitors". Taking place on April 17, this will bring together China's leading design firms and strongest manufacturers. The Fair will also feature four series of themed forums on design strategy, brand marketing, fashion information and technological innovation.

A growing number of Chinese exporters are now focusing their efforts on design excellence as they vie for international orders. Introduced in 2013, the ongoing success of the Canton Fair's CF Awards is indicative of a rising level of innovation within Chinese manufacturing, a trend recognized by both overseas design experts and companies looking to source cutting edge products.   

First introduced at the 109^th Canton Fair, the PDC acts as a platform for exchange between international design institutes and Chinese manufacturers. The success of the PDC is born out by the figures. Over 50 design companies from around the world were active in the PDC of Stage 1 of the 114th Canton Fair last year. They attracted 6,387 potential customers, of whom 1,178 expressed a keen interest in tying up contracts.

For further information please visit: http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/index.asp