GUANGZHOU, China, March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As the country's most prestigious trade show, the Canton Fair has always played a key role in advancing China's economic development. With the Chinese Communist Party's recent National Congress report urging further trade reform in 2014, the event offers the perfect opportunity to promote China's progressive economic policy. The 115th installment of the three-phase event is set to kick off in Guangzhou on April 15th, and improving global economic conditions bode well for Canton Fair turnover.

According to statistics from China Customs, China's foreign trade value totaled RMB 25.83 trillion (USD $4.16 trillion) last year, a year-on-year increase of 7.6 percent. Exports and imports were both up over 7 percent. Trade with the European Union, United States and the ASEAN bloc increased across the board.

In order to sustain this growth, promote general reform, and take advantage of developing economic conditions, China must continue to push its opening up agenda, both internally and externally. It must also improve the facilitation of inward and outward investment, balance and promote domestic and foreign trade, and nurture innovation and new international competitive advantages.

China's branding strategy is integral to the country's efforts to move up the economic value chain, promoting stronger international competitiveness, and reinforcing the value of the country's "Made in China" reputation. The Ministry of Commerce and the State Council have worked together over recent years to introduce a host of policies to help Chinese companies create and enhance the value of their own brands.

The Canton Fair has always worked hard to promote brand name building. At the 113th session of the Canton Fair last year, name brands exported USD $12.92 billion worth of goods, with total value of contracts involving name brands nearly six times that of non-name brands. The 115th Canton Fair will seek to continue this trend by reassessing the allocation and design of booths, carefully selecting exhibiting companies, and offering more opportunities to foreign trade companies to advertise their increasingly valuable products.

Boasting all the usual high-level services and facilities, the 115th Canton Fair will take place in the China Import and Export Fair venue from April 15 to May 5, 2014. Organizers warmly welcome all attendees, and look forward to a prosperous and progressive 2014.

For further information please visit: http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/index.asp

SOURCE The Canton Fair