"I have been looking forward to the Canton Fair since I was a child because every time my dad returned from the fair, he would bring me a variety of toys sourced from Chinese suppliers," recalled Deevesh Khatri with a smile. Now, as the manager of market development operations at EMERALD APPLIANCES, Deevesh enjoys benefits from the fair that extend far beyond the joy of childhood gifts.

Canton Fair brings opportunities to family business

Before Deevesh was born, his father, Jagdish Khatri, worked as a salesman in Dubai, “Fortunately, he was introduced to the Canton Fair over 30 years ago by a Chinese supplier. Through continuous visits to the fair, he accumulated resources and capitalized on Dubai's emergence as a global trade hub.

In the early 1990s, he founded and expanded his business from the ground up. Gradually, he established his company, Oasis Emerald L.L.C, and eventually launched his own brand, EMERALD APPLIANCES. Now, we employ over 50 staff members in our Dubai office,” Deevesh explained. He noted that this pivotal encounter with the Canton Fair laid the foundation for the long-standing development of their company.

“My father first took me to the Canton Fair over a decade ago to introduce me to the business world. I was overwhelmed by the vast scale and diversity of the products on display,” Deevesh recalled his first visit, which took place when he was still a university student majoring in business administration.

He viewed the Canton Fair as a practical venue where he could apply the knowledge he had gained from his textbooks, which ignited his passion for business and deepened his admiration for China's manufacturing prowess.

China’s manufacturing capabilities meet global demands

Over ten years later, for Deevesh Katri, the Canton Fair has served as the backdrop for countless business discussions and decisions within his family enterprises. “The Canton Fair holds a pivotal position in both my life and my business. An astonishing 99 percent of our suppliers are sourced from the fair,” Deevesh said.

He attributes their heavy reliance on China's supply chain to its comprehensiveness, reliability and product quality that enable it to meet global demands promptly and effectively. "China's production capacity and innovative capabilities are truly unmatched. There is an increasing level of competition among Chinese suppliers at the Canton Fair, with new entrants constantly introducing unique and innovative products to the market. This competition has resulted in higher product quality and more favorable terms for buyers like us."

“At the Canton Fair, we have the opportunity to meet with suppliers, evaluate new products, and chart the future course of our company. It serves as a one-stop supermarket, bringing together all suppliers in one place, saving us a great deal of time and effort. Additionally, it provides a platform to network with industry experts, make new business connections, source novel products, and gain valuable business insights," Deevesh elaborated. On average, he and his father meet with over 30 suppliers, both old partners and new suppliers, during each visit, and these connections have been instrumental in driving the growth of their business.

One product that caught Deevesh's attention on the first day of the 137th Canton Fair was a smart air fryer. This innovative appliance can prepare a variety of dishes without the need for oil and adjust the cooking time and temperature automatically. Deevesh believes that such products would not only help expand his business scope but also cater to the growing demand for health-conscious products and energy-efficient appliances in his target markets which include Russia, India, Saudi Arabia and African countries.

The Canton Fair has been the cornerstone of the Khatri family's business, facilitating its growth across generations. It has enabled them to forge long-lasting relationships with suppliers and expand their global footprint. Looking ahead, Deevesh is confident that the Canton Fair will remain a crucial platform for international trade. He hopes to pass on his experiences at the fair to the next generation in the future, which is a similar approach that his father did for him.