"I"ve been attending the Canton Fair for the last 10 years. It is always something very special for me, because every time I attend, I discover something new," Ahmed Abdelraouf Samman, general manager of SMN International, also a veteran participant from Egypt, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

　　He characterized the Canton Fair as embodying innovation, credibility and a new world. "If you want to start any business, enhance your business, grow your business, or even take your business much farther, the Canton Fair is the place - all in one."

　　For Rehman, director of social media services at RK Co, Ltd., the Canton Fair has provided a lot of business opportunities. The Pakistan-born participant has attended the Canton Fair for 10 years.

　　"I grew up with the Canton Fair. I found many suppliers for different kinds of products at the fair, and we partner together to bring customized products to my customers in the Middle East market," Rehman told the Global Times.

　　Continuous opening-up, more opportunities

　　This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Canton Fair. From its inaugural session of just 9,600 square meters and 1,200 buyers in April 1957 to today"s 1.55 million square meters and around 340,000 buyers, the fair has been held without interruption for 140 sessions. It serves as the most tangible proof of China"s long-term commitment to opening-up.

　　In 2007, at its 101st session, the Canton Fair was officially renamed the China Import and Export Fair, changing from its designation as the Chinese Export Commodities Exhibition. That was when it introduced an import section for the first time, shifting from a one-way export platform to two-way trade one. The fair later grew into an important platform for international trade cooperation, according to exhibitors and buyers from around the world.