Guangzhou, China, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 137th Canton Fair is set to open its doors on April 15, 2025, in Guangzhou, marking a significant event aimed at promoting international trade and fostering development within the Greater Bay Area. Recently, promotional meetings were held on March 18 and 19 in Hong Kong and Macau, respectively, to bridge international trade exchanges and enhance the exhibition industry in this economically vibrant region.
Zhang Sihong, Deputy Director of the China Foreign Trade Center, expressed gratitude towards the business communities in Hong Kong and Macau for their continuous support of the Canton Fair. During the promotional events, he provided the latest updates regarding the upcoming fair, which aims to attract a diverse range of international buyers and exhibitors.
The promotional meetings gathered over 260 participants, including representatives from six Hong Kong chambers of commerce, 21 foreign trade chambers, 17 local industry associations, and Hong Kong's trade development council. Dr. Jonathan Choi, chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the ongoing support from the Canton Fair, emphasizing its role as a platform for Hong Kong businesses to expand into markets linked to the Belt and Road Initiative and other emerging economies.
On March 19, the spring reception in Macau attracted 90 guests, including officials from various economic departments and local business associations. Xu Lemin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Macau Chamber of Commerce, expressed hopes that businesses in Macau would leverage the Canton Fair to showcase products “made in Macau” and “designed in Macau” to global buyers. This initiative particularly focuses on enhancing collaborative development between Macau and Hengqin, aiming to elevate the regional economy.
The Canton Fair is emblematic of China's commitment to increasing economic openness, providing a comprehensive trading platform for international buyers across various product categories. The 137th Canton Fair will be held from April 15 to May 5, 2025, in Guangzhou. Interested participants can download the Canton Fair application at https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/app/appintro.html.
In related news, the film industry is also seeing significant interest from China and Hong Kong, with expectations of over 2 billion baht in investments flowing into Thailand. Saksit Wathannachanchorn, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, noted that the film sector is a high-potential industry, serving as a vital channel for promoting Thai culture globally through fashion, food, art, music, and tourism.
The Thai government, through the Tourism Authority, participated in the FILMART 2025, held from March 17 to 20, 2025, to bolster Thailand's image as a prime destination for international film production. This event sparked considerable interest among foreign filmmakers, particularly from China and Hong Kong, with over 700 investors showing interest in filming in Thailand.
FILMART 2025 generated substantial enthusiasm among international filmmakers, with approximately 20 major production companies expressing their intent to invest, potentially leading to an estimated 2 billion baht in capital inflow. This investment is expected to stimulate the economy and the service industry in Thailand.
The Thai government has introduced significant incentives, such as a Cash Rebate of up to 30%, to attract foreign filmmakers to choose Thailand as their filming location. This measure has received positive feedback, encouraging top-tier filmmakers to select Thailand for their projects during 2025 and 2026.
As the Thai film industry continues to grow, it attracts unprecedented levels of attention from abroad. The presence of international film crews in Thailand not only generates revenue for the film sector but also boosts the local economy, benefiting hotels, transportation, and local businesses. It also creates job opportunities for Thai citizens across various professions.
Wathannachanchorn emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing the film industry as a driving force for the national economy. The collaboration with international filmmakers is seen as a pathway to opening new opportunities for Thailand to become a central hub for the film industry in the region and globally.
The Thai government invites citizens to welcome foreign film crews, showcasing Thailand's potential as a world-class filming destination. The film industry, coupled with trade events like the Canton Fair, illustrates Thailand's growing importance on the global stage, enhancing its economic prospects while promoting cultural exchange.
