Doha - Chinese booths have been attracting crowds as traders from 38 countries were vying for a slice of the lucrative Qatari consumer market at the International Consumer Trade Fair which concludes today.
The competition to supply the booming Qatari market with a variety of consumer goods under one roof has seen discerning shoppers throng Chinese booths not only to find the best price but also seek the best quality.
According to Qatar Expo Event Management for Exhibitions, the organizers of the event, over 500 exhibitors from 38 countries are participating in the fair at the New Qatar International Exhibition Centre which runs until today.
Chinese companies have the second largest presence in the fair with 100 booths after that of Syrian firms with 125 stalls, besides exhibitors from Egypt, India, Iran, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco and Pakistan.
By the weekend holidays yesterday, the enthusiasm for the fair of the hundreds of shoppers remained sky high with the number of visitors swelling considerably and the whole parking perimeter around the Exhibition Centre packed with vehicles.
The fair has turned out to be a major attraction for people from all walks of life, due perhaps to such a wide array of products readily available under one roof.
But Chinese stalls have been drawing in crowds keen for a deal and take their pick at the wide range of reasonably high quality products at bargain prices.
Products on display at Chinese stalls include a wide range of household textiles and garments, arts and crafts, household and luxury goods, handbags, children garments, bed covers and blankets.
While few Chinese exhibitors have come directly from their home country, many other have their base in Dubai, which places them at the centre of the regional market and from where they can move fast to any exhibition in the region at very short notice.
Huang Jie Trading is one of the Chinese firms based in Dubai which is participating for the third consecutive time in a trade fair in Doha. Lin Pei, the vendor at the firms' stall said he has made good business, but less than during the fair's previous edition.
Jie attributed this to the fact that the exhibition area is now much bigger than in previous editions with more participants and consequently more competition, but he said his affordable prices is what make the difference.
Indeed, a beautifully made large cotton bed cover could fetch between QR 100-120. Such stalls as Jie's were very popular with families and with the kind of chilly weather now prevailing in Doha, blankets and bed covers seem to be the hottest items for most shoppers.
Yang Nan of Sharjah-based Yang Nan Trading as Jie and most of other Chinese exhibitors will be heading to Bahrain for another trade fair soon after the Doha International Consumer Trade Fair concludes today.
Nan was also quite satisfied with sales at the fair, although he blamed the cold weather for shoppers' lack of interest in his silk garments. But his bed covers and blankets with prices ranging from QR 100-300 were selling like hot cakes.
By Nasser Al-Harthy/ Salim Matramkot
© The Peninsula 2008
