(Yicai) April 17 -- This year's first round of the bi-annual Canton Fair has become a meeting spot for many international merchants and Chinese companies to explore further cooperation opportunities.

Krisbow, an Indonesian tool and gear distributor who has a booth at the Canton Fair for the fourth time, has allied with over 100 Chinese suppliers, General Manager Hadi Purnama told Yicai. After arriving in Guangzhou for this year's exhibition, some of the firm's team met with buyers at its booth while others visited local plants to strengthen business ties and explore new opportunities, he added.

The 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair opened on April 15 and will run for 21 days. At about 31,000 companies, the number of participating businesses has exceeded 30,000 for the first time, according to the event's organizer.

Krisbow is a home tool brand under Kawan Lama Group, distributing over 18,000 products, mostly purchased from Chinese manufacturers. The company plays the role of "agent buyer" for its clients, Purnama noted.

With a deep understanding of the Chinese manufacturing market and a strong network of quality suppliers, Krisbow can flexibly meet the needs of overseas buyers who require small-batch products, serving customers across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and North America, Purnama pointed out.

Krisbow sets up a booth at the Canton Fair to attract buyers from these regions, Purnama said. The model has proven to be an effective way to expand the firm's customer base, which is why it continues to participate in the fair, he added.

South Korean hardware supplier World Cross' business model is similar to that of Krisbow, with the company distributing goods in South Korea and also exporting to the United States and Europe, GM Kwon Yong-mo said to Yicai. Although core products are made in its domestic factory, some key parts must be sourced from China due to higher domestic production costs, he added.

Guangzhou's advanced industrial infrastructure and mature supply chain have significantly contributed to this collaborative business model, Kwon said. After years of cooperation, World Cross has established stable and reliable ties with suppliers in China, and the Canton Fair has provided a platform for business communication, he pointed out.

Nearly all of UK's Lie-Nielsen Toolworks 7,000 products are sourced from China and sold domestically and in several other European countries, as well as parts of Africa, the company's business manager told Yicai. The competitiveness of Chinese products is increasingly strengthening, she added.

Lie-Nielsen takes part in the Canton Fair to promote its brand to international buyers and seek overseas agents, she said, adding that the company may establish a distribution warehouse in Dubai to expand the sales reach of its products.

Krisbow's alliance with Chinese suppliers is reaching new heights, Purnama noted. The company has collaborated with several local partners to set up plants in Indonesia, targeting the global market, he added.

This cooperation model has a "win-win" nature, Purnama stressed. As an Indonesian company, Krisbow is well-versed in the local market and regulations, so collaborating with Chinese partners with production and supply chain expertise can create a strong business synergy, he said.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Martin Kadiev