From a small family firm to the world's largest producer of sewing machines, Zhejiang-based Feiyue Group attributes its success to the Canton Fair, according to the top executive of the company.

Qiu Jibao, chairman of Feiyue Group, said his company attended the 99th Canton Fair in 2006 for the first time, immediately attracting the attention of overseas buyers because of its cost-effectiveness, and high-quality and high-value-added products.

"The Canton Fair is an important channel for us to connect with international clients and show them our strength," Qiu said.

"It's not an exaggeration to say that the Canton Fair is a strong boost to propel us into the international market," he added.

In addition to Feiyue, there are a number of Chinese companies that have grown into global leaders in their industries with the help of the event, according to China Foreign Trade Centre, the organizer of the fair.

These companies include renowned home appliance giants Haier, Midea and Chigo.

One thing these companies have in common is that they have all developed from scratch: They were all small and medium-sized enterprises decades ago.

Along with the country's deepening economic reform, the Canton Fair began to highlight SMEs, especially privately-owned businesses in the 1990s.

China's privately-owned companies made their debut at the 85th Canton Fair in 1999, according to the organizer.

Since then, the fair has created a number of preferential conditions for SMEs.

To accommodate as many SMEs as possible, the organizer has been expanding the exhibition space.

At the 91st Canton Fair in 2002, the event was divided into two phases, thus increasing the number of booths from 8,153 at the previous session, up to 15,676.

In 2004, a new venue - the Canton Fair complex - was added for the fair, expanding the total number of booths to 27,500. In 2008, the 104th Canton Fair was divided into three phases, boosting the number of booths to 55,620.

At the 118th fair in the autumn of last year, 82.9 percent of the Chinese exhibitors were SMEs with annual export revenue below $15 million.

The organizer said the fair's increasing support for SMEs included lowered charges and more networking events for Chinese and foreign firms.

As the nation shifts to an emphasis on innovation-driven strategy for its industrial development, the Canton Fair has taken measures to help Chinese manufacturers, especially SMEs, to upgrade their technology and production, and to build brands with international influence, according to the organizer.

These steps include a range of meetings and forums relating to international industrial and market trends, new technologies, intellectual property, design and brand building. A total of 388 such events were held since the 109th fair in 2011.

To add value for Chinese manufacturers and exporters, the CFTC opened the Canton Fair Product Design and Trade Promotion Center at the 109th fair. The center - also know as PDC - has been working on matching international designers with Chinese firms through events like design shows, forums, awards and galleries.

"The PDC offered a great networking opportunity for designers and manufacturers," said Li Yaohua, president of Zhejiang-based Tao-Design Co Ltd.

"Through the platform, designers can better meet the actual demands of manufacturers and manufacturers can use international design resources to improve their products and build brands," Li added.

Li Zhonglin and Chen Yaqing contributed to the story.

(China Daily 10/10/2016 page6)