China Agri Products to Capture Regional Market 

(MENAFN Press) Sharjah, 5 Dec. 2012:

After gaining significant market share for its manufactured goods in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East, China is set to make inroads into the regional agriculture sector in a big way through an upcoming trade event in Sharjah.

In a global first, the Chinese government is bringing its leading agriculture enterprises to the Middle East to take part in the Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah at Expo Centre Sharjah from December 10 to 13, 2012.

Titled 'China Agriculture Expo', the high-profile event aims to acquire a considerable stake in the market for agricultural produce, equipment, fertilizers and inputs that are imported to meet local and regional requirements.

"The Chinese Prime Minister's visit to the UAE in January this year heralded a new era of commercial cooperation between China and the UAE and saw the signing of a strategic bilateral partnership and several other key agreements. Now, for the first time, China has chosen Sharjah and CCFS to showcase its agriculture might," said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, who was addressing a press conference announcing the 11th edition of the show.

Ms. Zhang Yi, Counselor, Economic and Commercial Section of Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai; Mr. Zhang Baojun, Representative, Representative Office in the Gulf Area of CCPIT; and Mr. Patrick Zheng Shuo, General Manager, China Machinery & Electronics Products Exhibition Center (Chinamex), also addressed the press conference.

"The GCC is one of the biggest importers of food in the world and now the time has come for the region to reduce its reliance on food imports and focus on sustainable agriculture practices. The expo will be a boon for local and regional farm owners and traders to acquire high quality Chinese agri products and equipment that are competitively priced," said Midfa.

"The show will also provide a big push to the national initiative to build a green economy by enhancing cooperation with leading Chinese agricultural enterprises. Agriculture is a key component of the green initiative that aims to promote organic farming through incentives at the federal and local levels," added Midfa.

China has made great achievements in farming techniques, agricultural technology, utilization of new energy sources and cultivation methods. Chinese agricultural products, equipment and inputs not only meet the demand of 1.3 billion Chinese people but have also become an export industry, with its agri exports touching US 34.46 billion, up 3.8% year-on-year, in the first seven months of 2012.

"The high potential of the Middle East and Africa is another reason why we chose the agricultural theme for the CCFS. Sharjah is the nerve centre of agricultural trade in Middle East. According to statistics, the total agricultural products' import to the UAE in 2010 was valued at 11.36 billion, of which only 440 million was from China. It indicates that there is a huge growth potential for agricultural trade," said Patrick Zheng Shuo.

"For agricultural equipment, Chinese import to Middle East in 2010 was more than 5.9 million, increasing 87.3% year-on-year. Compared with some of the developed countries of Europe, this increase indicates that China is more competitive in the pricing of agricultural equipment and tools as well as agricultural techniques. Africa too has huge potential," added Patrick Zheng Shuo.

At the show, Chinese enterprises will showcase their products and services under four categories - agricultural products, technology, equipment and inputs.

Among the leading exhibitors, Jinan Runtu Agriculture Technology Co. Ltd. from Shandong province, the largest province in China in agricultural products export, will exhibit its new variety of organic fruit and vegetable, which will be seen in the Middle East for the first time.

Beijing Shen Nong Xi Yuan Organic Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. will present desertification control and water conservation technology, which will be ideal for the climatic conditions of the region.

Shanxi Zhongxin Kenaf Industry Co. Ltd. from Shanxi province will showcase technology on producing environment-friendly industrial products using agricultural products and plants; and Jiangsu Huahui Engineer Equipment Co. Ltd will display more than 20 kinds of equipment.

Visitors can also expect advanced technology for irrigation, rural power grid and water conservation.