The ongoing 131st China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has signed cooperation agreements with three Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member industrial and commercial institutions, namely the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Business Association of China in Vietnam, and the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council.

This exemplifies the numerous opportunities brought about by the RCEP, which was implemented on Jan 1 and has been described as the world's largest free trade agreement, are being explored at the Canton Fair, which is China's largest trade fair.

Held online this year due to COVID-19 prevention and control measures, the Canton Fair features 372 overseas exhibitors showcasing 8,570 products, of which 117 exhibitors are from RCEP member countries, accounting for 29.1 percent of the exhibitors.

Themed forums on "RCEP tariff reductions and rules of origin" and "opportunities brought to the toy industry by the RCEP" will be held on April 22, while other activities involving RCEP opportunities will be held, such as a special matchmaking event for the home furnishing industry with the RCEP as the target market.

The 131st Canton Fair Forum. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]