The 97th Session of Chinese Export Commodities Fair concluded on April 30, 2005. Total 288 Bulgarian buyers attended the Fair, up 4.35% y-o-y.

The number of buyers registered at the 97th CECF increased smoothly over the 96th session. Up to 195464 overseas buyers from 210 countries and regions attended this session of the CECF, increasing by 16.4% over the last session and by 23.1% over the 95th CECF. The attendance of the buyers showed the following characteristics: First, there was a general increase of the attendance of buyers from around the world. 113074 Asian buyers attended the fair, increasing by 11.92% over the last session and occupying 57.85% of the total; 34613 European buyers attended the fair, increasing by 9.35% over the last session and occupying 17.71% of the total; 24561 American buyers attended the fair, increasing by 25.54% over the last session and occupying 12.57% of the total; 12434 African buyers attended the fair, increasing by 68.16% over the last session and occupying 6.36% of the total; 6335 Oceania buyers attended the fair, increasing by 26.98% over the last session and occupying 3.24% of the total. Second, big buyers such as Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Home Depot, Metro attended the fair enthusiastically. Among the top 250 world retailers, 71 attended the fair, and 25 of them were in the top 50. Third, new buyers expanded greatly. There were 102154 new buyers who attended the fair, occupying 52.26% of the total and increasing by 29.93% over the last session. The top ten countries and regions in terms of number of buyers were: Hong Kong, US, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Australia and India.

The total turnover of this session reached USD 29.23 billion, increasing by 7.5% over the last session and rising by 19.3% over the 95th CECF.

Judging from the exhibits, machinery and electronic products were the majority of trade, recording a trade volume of USD 11.93 billion and accounting for 40.8% of the total; the trade volume of textiles and garments was respectively USD 2.74 billion and USD 2.18 billion, decreased by 4.1% and 0.3% over the last session; building materials and footwear increased rapidly, the trade volume of them was USD 0.83 billion and USD 0.75 billion, increasing by 39.9% and 23.2%.