Due to the overall impact of the pandemic linked to the novel coronavirus, the 127th edition of the China Import and Export Fair – an event also known as Canton Fair – is being held exclusively online, from June 15 to 26. The Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macao) is taking part in the event this year, just as it has attended Canton Fair in previous years, with the Representatives from the Portuguese-speaking Countries to the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao involved in the online version of the Fair. They are doing so to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Portuguese-speaking Countries.

This year’s edition of Canton Fair focuses on trade cooperation between the regions and countries covered by China’s Belt and Road initiative. The fair is using strategies tailored to the conditions in each participating region and country. This approach has captured the interest of participants from Portuguese-speaking Countries.

According to the Representatives from the Portuguese-speaking Countries to the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, the online version of Canton Fair is yielding positive results. Although there is no physical trade show to visit, a diverse range of products is available for review via the Fair’s digital platform. In this regard, the online booths offer exhibitors new ways to promote their goods and services, meaning the exhibitors can still achieve the sort of positive results they seek from participation in the Fair.

Holding the Canton Fair online marks not only an innovative approach to the hosting of exhibitions and conventions, but also it serves as a useful reference for the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao to develop fresh ways to promote economic and trade exchanges between Mainland China, Macao and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, allowing Macao to extend its platform role.