Han Ximin

ximhan@126.com

THE 25th China (Shenzhen) International Gifts, Handcrafts, Watches & Housewares Fair opened yesterday at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, showcasing a wide selection of creative and eco-friendly gifts, and home products from China and across Asia.

As the largest gift show in Asia, the fair has attracted exhibitors from the Chinese mainland, India, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Russia, Singapore and Indonesia.

In the Maker Gallery Pavilion on the second floor, an employee with Shenzhen Reeman Intelligent Equipment Co. was introducing their latest education Playmate Robot for Kids to visitors shortly after the opening.

“The robot companion is a fun educational robot with a large screen, sensors, micro-controllers, 3-D camera and everything your kids need to play. It can take pictures, dance, tell stories, and recharge itself,” said Kevin Li, a marketing employee. The products, which have already been put on the market, are being sold for around 4,000 yuan (US$581).

In a separate booth beside the Maker Gallery Pavilion, the G20 Summit state banquet dinnerware, the favorite of First Ladies, was also on show.

“The sets of dinnerware are excellent despite being priced at 19,000 yuan for one set,” Timothy J. Jeffrey, CEO with Global Corporate Finance LLC, said in an interview while touring the halls.

Jeffrey was on a business trip to Shenzhen and decided to come to the fair.

“I am very interested in the porcelain and if they are interested in the products here in China,” said Jeffrey.

“The fair is a source market for our procurement. I’m collecting information for my friends and have contacted them with emails and WeChat to see what items they are interested in,” said Jeffrey.

Among the fair visitors, Kay Kratky, managing director of a trading company in Shenzhen, said that April is always a busy month for him, because he and his colleagues have to attend the gift fair in Shenzhen and the Canton Fair in Guangzhou to source products for their customers.

“The on-going Canton Fair also has gift, clock and watch shows. I’m trying to find the most desirable products through extensive contacts with suppliers,” said Kratky.

Covering an area of 115,000 square meters and having 5,000 exhibitors from a wide range of sectors, the fair runs until Friday and offers the widest selection of business gifts and consumer products. It is expected to attract 80,000 professional buyers in four days.

The fair is held every April and October in Shenzhen.