HONG KONG Global Sources will expand its regular fairs in Singapore, with its first show at Suntec Singapore in November 2010. 

The shows aim to facilitate trade between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

"China and ASEAN are major trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $150 billion in the first nine months of 2009," said Tommy Wong, president of Global Sources Exhibitions. “As a key trading and export hub, Singapore is an ideal location for Chinese suppliers targeting buyers in the region.”

Under the free trade agreement that came into effect on January 1, more than 7,000 products made in China are now exempt from tariffs.

Ruan Weixing, general manager of partner exhibition company, Fuijian Huiyuan, said: “This is a win-win situation for both China's suppliers and Singapore's trade and exhibition industry. We aim to ensure that the China-ASEAN free trade agreement achieves its full potential to build mutually beneficial trade relationships across the region.”

The events will feature specialty shows for exhibitors of gifts and premiums; home products; garments and textiles; hardware and building materials; machinery and industrial supplies; and food and beverage.