People view porcelain tableware at the second phase of the 138th edition of the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hong Zehua)
GUANGZHOU, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- At the ongoing 138th Canton Fair, two young buyers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Azhar Sajan and Sahil Sajan, proudly carry name cards they've held onto for 11 years, each featuring their childhood photos. It has been 14 years since their father, Anis Askerali Sajan, first introduced them to the fair.
"Experience outweighs knowledge," Anis remarked. "I brought my sons here to teach them how to connect with people. Now they are confident enough to walk into any booth, negotiate prices, and even visit factories on their own."
Anis, vice chairman of Danube Group, a leading building materials and real estate company in the UAE, first attended the Canton Fair, officially known as the China Import and Export Fair, in the year 2000.
Over 25 years, Anis has watched the fair evolve into a larger, more sophisticated platform, while his own company grew from a small importer into an influential business group.
"The Canton Fair is a platform for growth," Anis said. "There are so many suppliers showcasing so many products. It's a gold mine. It's up to you what to identify."
This year, Anis set his sights on large, infinity pools designed for real estate projects in the Middle East.
"I'm a man with clear purposes," he said, adding that it would be good enough for him to develop two or three new items during his five-day trip to China.
He appreciates the fair's three-phase structure, with each phase dedicated to specific sectors. Anis mainly attends the second phase, which focuses on building materials and sanitary products. Meanwhlile, his elder son explores lighting and hardware in the first phase of the fair, and his younger son focuses on furniture in the third phase.
Despite the long flight from Dubai to Guangzhou every six months, Anis said he never feels tired.
"The energy at the fair is so infectious. When you pass by the booths, suppliers greet you with warm smiles. That hospitality is what sets this fair apart. I haven't seen this kind of energy anywhere else in the world. China is the best place to do business and build friendships," he said.
When he started his business 25 years ago, Anis focused mainly on low-cost products. However, he soon realised that long-term success depended on quality. The Canton Fair, offering an ever-growing range of high-quality Chinese products, became one of his key sourcing hubs.
"I started partnering with big Chinese brands. A small jet-spray product gave wings to many more, including showers, faucets, toilet products, and helped us build our reputation," he recalled.
Through the fair, Anis keeps close to industry trends. "I've been in the real estate business for over 20 years. All these materials, steel, plywood, lights, and building materials, come from China. How will the construction industry survive without Chinese products?"
Carrying a triple-fold smartphone made by a Chinese company, Anis smiled as he summed up his view in six words: You get what you pay for.
"China delivers high-quality products," he said. "This phone is an example. The old perception that Chinese goods are cheap is wrong. They make the best products at reasonable prices."
For Anis, business ties often go beyond commerce. He is even contemplating purchasing a home in Guangzhou, partly due to his long-time secretary, Miss Zou, who is from the city.
"She devotes her heart and soul to the company. Many people think business is only about profit and loss, but you can also build relationships that last a lifetime. She's like family to us after 20 years of working together," Anis noted.
A single purchase
