The 94th Chinese Export Commodities Fair has ended its first phase with a big rise in agreements signed, after its April session was hit hard by the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak.

The first phase, held during October 15-20, harvested export deals of over US$13 billion, 9.5 per cent higher than those recorded in the same phase of last autumn's session.

The export volume was far exceeding the total orders of US$4.42 billion at the spring session, which experienced the fair's historic low because of the SARS crisis.

Electronics and machinery continued to be the pillar of the export deals in the first phase, accounting for 56.3 per cent. For example, orders for air-conditioners increased by 122.8 per cent to US$960 million, and orders for refrigerators rose by 78.4 per cent to US$490 million.

A total of 84,530 foreign buyers visited the fair, a rise of 10.8 per cent year-on-year.

The European Union, the United States and the Middle East became the top three purchasing regions in the first phase, with their purchases accounting for 25.9, 16.1 and 13.6 per cent of the total orders respectively.

Some 10,195 domestic companies exhibited their goods at the fair, covering a record area of 360,000 square metres.

To guard against the potential threat of SARS at the Guangzhou fair, local health departments carried out strict health examinations at the first phase.

The second phase of the fair will be held from October 25-30.

Business deals struck at every Guangzhou export commodities fair account for one-fourth of the total national volume of general trade each year.

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