(Yicai) Oct. 18 -- Home appliance makers Ferre and Simfer are among the many Turkish companies forging new ties with Chinese suppliers and global clients at the ongoing China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair.

Some 50,000 companies from more than 200 countries and regions are attending the semi-annual trade show, which is now in its 67th year. And Türkiye is one of the best represented countries at the fair, with 125 exhibitors.

Ferre has attended the trade show in Guangzhou, southern Guangdong province for the past 14 years because many home appliance parts, such as mechanical timers, are only made in China, Mustafa Alimoglu, import and procurement director at the company, told Yicai.

Ferre, which makes over three million white goods from refrigerators to ovens a year, currently has transactions of USD10 million a year with China, he said.

"Simfer assembles induction ovens and television sets in China,” said Ebru Yuksel, director for exports and marketing at Simfer. “We also import dishwashers, refrigerators and air-conditioners as well as a variety of components from China.”

Many Opportunities

The fair gives Turkish companies the opportunity to visit factories in the area to find reliable suppliers and to meet clients from around the world.

"Since the fair opened three days ago, I have met many old clients from all over the world and have also been put in touch with new potential partners," said Yuksel. 

"Myself, my boss and our technical experts have visited over 500 factories during our previous trips and we have long-term tie-ups with around 25 of them," said Alimoglu.

"Quite a few Chinese suppliers that used to mostly sell their products in China have approached us this time around about supplying their products to us. We plan to choose a few as new partners," he added.

Türkiye hopes to open up to the whole world, and as one of the world's major economies, China is a key trade destination, said Salih Sami Atilgan, a Board member at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.

“Although Türkiye is in a very good geographic position as it connects the whole European continent with North Africa, Russia and the Middle East, we still need to expand our footprint in the Asia Pacific region and Latin America,” Atilgan said.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Kim Taylor