Yiwu Intl Commodities Fair kicks off

HANGZHOU - The 19th China Yiwu International Commodities Fair kicked off in Yiwu city, East China's Zhejiang province, on Monday, attracting more than 2,747 exhibitors and 11,325 registered buyers.

Exhibitors are from seven industries including hardware, electronics, crafts, decorations, underwear and socks, stationery and sports goods. More than 1.7 million kinds of commodities will be on display, said the organizer.

A record number of buyers will attend the fair this year. The number of buyers from foreign countries is up 300 percent year on year.

Yiwu city has the world's largest small commodity market. During the first nine months of the year, the city's export volume reached $14.22 billion, up 239.4 percent year on year, according to the organizer.

During the fair, there will be eight flights between Yiwu city and South China's economic hub Guangzhou city each day. Nineteen free shuttle buses will connect exhibition halls, markets and hotels every day.

The annual fair was first held in 1995. It is the third largest export-oriented commodities fair in China, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, the Government of Zhejiang Province and other authorities.

The fair will last for five days and end on October 25.